Wade: Heat skid would be treated like 9/11

Dwyane Wade yesterday mentioned the attacks on the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, when describing the possible reaction to a losing streak next season by the Miami Heat, according to AOL Fanhouse.

Speaking at a charity basketball game he and former Heat star Alonzo Mourning hosted in Miami, Wade said the team would be a target of opponents next season after the signings of free agents Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

"We're going to be wearing a bull's-eye," Wade said, according to AOL FanHouse. "But that's what you play for. We enjoy the bull's-eye. Plus, there's going to be times when we lose two, three games in a row, and it seems like the world has crashed down. You all are going to make it seem like the World Trade is coming down again, but it's not going to be nothing but a couple basketball games.

"When the schedule comes out, people will be looking for the Lakers and Heat, to see when they play us. I feel like I'm a new player in Miami. That's how excited I am."

Neither James nor Bosh played in the game, which featured mostly NBA journeymen and former players.

Wade also addressed those who have predicted the Heat will flop with the additions of James and Bosh.

"I'm not really concerned about what people say anymore," he said. "I've made my comments. Inside here, we know how competitive we're going to be."

He said he will be motivated by the doubters.

"My whole career is built on fuel," Wade said. "It's always been there. It's not going to change what I do with my life. It's not going to change the way I am as a person. But it fuels you. And we all need that. Every athlete, every competitor needs something to fuel them. It's going to happen throughout the year."

* Albert Montanes won his second ATP title of the season when Gael Monfils was forced to retire from the Stuttgart (Germany) final because of an ankle injury.

* Nicolas Almagro defeated French Open runner-up Robin Soderling at the Baastad final in Sweden.

* Kaia Kanepi won the Palmermo (Itlay) Open with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over defending champion Flavia Pennetta.

* Nate Montana, the son of former Notre Dame standout Joe Montana, was among 11 Fighting Irish athletes arrested on misdemeanor charges of underage drinking at a party Friday night. Nate Montana is a walk-on quarterback who was the backup to starter Dayne Crist coming out of the spring.

* The NCAA is investigating University of South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders about possible rules violations, coach Steve Spurrier confirmed. It is believed the investigation of Saunders is connected to the NCAA's ongoing probe concerning University of North Carolina football players and agent activity. Saunders, a senior from Durham, N.C., has several friends on the Tar Heels team, including defensive tackle Marvin Austin, who is at the center of the UNC investigation.

* Will Power won the Honda Indy Toronto for his second straight victory and fourth of the season, passing Justin Wilson off a restart with 14 laps left and holding off Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti.