"To My HEAT Family:

"Over the last 13 years -- you have been my second family. The last 24 hours have been an emotional roller coaster for me. It is really hard to say goodbye . . .so instead I just want to say thank you. Thank you for welcoming a young, shy 21 year old kid and helping me grow into the man I am today. Thank you for taking care of my family and my team over the years. Thank you for helping me transcend the sport of basketball and become a global presence. Thank you for the memories. The championships . . . the parades . . . the division titles.

"Everyone from the coaching staff to the trainers and doctors...parking attendants to the ushers, store employees, sales team, HEAT TV, Marketing, ticket office, executives, assistants, game operations and community affairs . . . You have all had a part in who I am today. We won together. We lost together. We made magic together.

"I will always be a HEAT LIFER. To me, a heat lifer is not about the jersey I have on my back -- but what I carry in my heart.

"I will truly miss everyone. And I wish nothing but the best for all of you.