Wade, who has maintained a close bond with LeBron since their days with the Miami Heat, emphasized that Smith’s comments crossed a line. He detailed a personal conversation with Smith, insisting that if he were in LeBron’s shoes, he would have reacted similarly to protect his family. Wade noted that LeBron’s response was out of character, as he is typically composed under pressure. Wade’s remarks underscored the seriousness of the situation, asserting that Smith was misrepresenting LeBron’s intentions.