With all the fuss about LeBron “King” James these days it’s easy to forget about the only team that’s already in the conference finals—the Miami Heat. You may think of Shaq O’Neal first when you think of the Heat. But Shaquille is fading more into the role of icon than the role of center. His minutes are limited; he’s pulling a steady 31 minutes a game. Shaq’s points are pedestrian, just topping 18. His rebounding is slowing as the years and the playoff wear him down; he averaged just over 7 for the Nets series. Pundits talk about Shaq’s “presence,” but the Heat’s payroll department must be contemplating his absence.
Once again we’re ignoring the player who has stepped up more than any other in this playoffs. (That’s right, including LeBron who’s 8 turnovers and 2 missed free throws at the end of game 4 were not exactly clutch.) That player is Dwyane “Flash” Wade, Miami’s quiet superstar.
Nike hasn’t dropped $90 million on Dwyane and that means that the international hype machine that brought you the messianic “Witness” ads isn’t behind the Miami guard. Wade’s Converse deal isn’t going to get him 10-story Big Brother-like Witness posters that block out light in every apartment in Cleveland. Nor will it buy an Industrial Light and Magic ad that features several unfunny Wade clones. Rather, Flash has had to make his own noise on the basketball court--and it’s been a thunderstorm.
This year Wade has been unstoppable in the playoffs. His unprecedented quickness to the rim and highlight reel finishes have been his bread and butter for years. These playoffs he’s began to do what critics (such as myself) have cited as a hole in his game. Wade shot the three at a paltry 17% clip during the season. It’s not that DWade is not dropping the bomb so much these playoffs, he’s just hitting it more. Somehow he’#### 50% from three, which is enough of a taste for perimeter defenders to have to stick a bit closer. All the better to be victimized by Dwyane’s clever crossover or his straight ahead blinding speed.
Wade has also continued his playmaking from the regular season. Most people don’t even realize what a talented assist man that Dwyane is. With all of the mega-hype that LeBron gets about his passing, Wade averaged more assists this season. Flash’s highlight-reel pass in the lane was fodder for SportsCenter. But Wade obsessively breaks down defenses with his patented speed and guile, subverting the collapsing lane with a deft dime.
I think what has most sold me on Wade’s game is his over-arching athleticism. When I see #3 knifing to the peach basket I remember Michael Jordan—with hair. There is artistry to dunking, but it’s also a tool for psychological warfare. Wade’s throw-downs are beautiful and vicious. When Dwyane Wade drops from the rim, AmericanAirlines Arena explodes…or an opponent’s arena deflates. The relentlessness of his game takes mental toughness, something the New Jersey Nets had too little of. Wade didn’t end the Nets with a dunk however; he did it with a patented steal (he’s thieving more than 2 a game in the playoffs.)
What’s also forgotten is that Dwyane Wade has accomplished more than the highly touted “King” James. He won a playoff series his first year in the league as LeBron went home. He’s headed to his second conference finals, and LeBron still may not experience his first. Wade is the heart and soul of the Heat in the same way that LeBron carries the Cavs. It’s funny that such a special player is sneaking up on the playoffs, but somehow Wade is doing just that. Would a James/Wade Eastern Conference Finals duel be unbelievable theatre? No doubt. But for now we only know for sure that one of those players will be there; it’s time to get to know him.
I think it's a wash. If I was handed an NBA team and given the choice of LeBron or Wade, given the rest of the team would be dead equal, I'd flip a coin.
Heat v. Cavs bring it on. Just what the NBA needs. LeBron and Wade are the future and the future is here. Shaq-ules as a mere mortal is sad but he has been to the promised land. On the other hand if the Pistons get their heads out of their press clippings and revert to form it might be Shaq v. Wallace and we all know how that ends...great post...
Half--much appreciated feedback. lol on the no turn signal. sometimes i think DC dealerships disable turn signals on the cars they sell.
Wes--Wow, it's amazing once you get past the commericals and media hype, people do recognize what a stud Dwyane is. Still can't figure out why his name is spelled that way but whatever works. Wade had a hell of a tourney run, didn't he?
ed--It would be a dynamite series. I think playing against LeBron would be the best thing Wade could possibly ask for in terms of raising his profile. Even though Arenas lost the series to LeBron, his staying with James has gotten him a lot of recognition.
Dwayne Wade is a stud. When Lebron, Carmelo, and Wade came into the league it was all about Lebron and Carmelo. However, I think now, Wade has to be considered one of the biggest stars in the league. If he developed even a decent outside shot, look out. But even as he is right now, you have to give him credit.
ken--agreed. Is Wade's 3 point shooting in the playoffs a fluke, or the start of something big? I really think he only needs to take 2-3 3-pointers a game to open up the defense enough to be the dominant player in the NBA.
Nice post, Crabman. Really looking forward to the possibility of a Wade-James Eastern Finals. I smell an 80's flashback for the birth of a new playoff rivalry!
Thanks Moore...I'm feeling like LeBron is Magic, Wade is Jordan, Nowitski is Bird, Kobe is Dr. J, Arenas is Dominique, Shaq is an aging Moses...I could go all day with this but will probably stop here.
I agree totally about Wade. Cavs have to still get past the pistons which everyone is already way overpredicting they do -- and here are the heat and dwade blowing through the nets -- that sounds kind of dirty anyway beating up on the nets -- they're there sitting waiting and it's because of wade's play
Mav--lol...They're sitting and waiting and beat up old Shaq is resting. To have the mental focus to win four straight and gain this extra advantage is testament to Wade's game.
Mean--Thanks! I just need to know if he's going to get the top spot in your Best Damn Guard series! I'm not saying LeBron's not a great ...I guess I'll have to wait for the weekend (and have a good one Mean!)
Hey, Doc! Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! Finally a great post on someone other than that baseball player guy (starts with a B), the other dead baseball player guy (uhm, it starts with a B, too) and the basketball player being touted as the second coming (wet nurse, er, witness).
It's funny how a player of Dwade's caliber has continuously been overshadowed, at nearly every stop in his basketball upbringing. My only fear is, his high-flying, no-holds barred style of play won't hold up for an entire career. Barring injury, I know who I'd like to witness, more often than not! Great stuff, Doc! And thanks again!
Crabman, great post. I am a huge Wade fan, and Shaq. Funny Steve Nash hits 18 points per game and he is an MVP and Shaq does it and it is nothing. Considering he scores his 18 dragging three guys down the lane, I still think it is amazing.
As for Wade and King James, I would love that series and I think so would the TV networks who are obviously orchestrating the fall of the Pistons. LOL, anyway, nice read.
You are completely right. Wade was a complete afterthought to LBJ & 'Melo in that 2003 draft. He went #5, but the way everyone was talking it might as well have been #55.
It has taken him all of this time just to get within breathin distance of James in the respect department. People will say that he had Shaq while James had a cast of characters.
Really, this is the rivalry which should be hyped up in the media and it should have been that way from the beginning since they play in the same conference. We have a few more years to enjoy it.
Drcrab, meandovine and gunns-
First drcrab- Dwayne Wade is the ultimate if you fall get back up player. HE did it at Marquette and now for the Heat, and when the Heat is on it is Wade making sure it stays low-- and low profile enough to win and win it right. That is class.
Mean- I agree with you 100% a well written post.
and gunns buddy- dWade scares this Pistons fan to.
It might a be a long night and I actually here will speculate that it will be an overtime win tonight for the Pistons. And then back to Detroit to close it out in game 7. No OT.
Then the Heat.
One game at a time.
Cya all later buds.
Last edited by letsgoredwings on May 19th at 2:25 PM.
JustMe--Funny...It's been a lot of those topics but I have some respect for the "give the people what they want" attitude. Even so, I do feel like great stories such as Wade and even the amazing Spurs-Cavs showdown get lost. It's not only bloggers who do it, but the sports media at large--TV, radio and print is largely devoted to those same 3 topics. I'm glad you read one attempt to mix it up a bit!
Socal--lol on your conspiracy theory. Once you start concocting those you know you've spent too much time at FoxBlogs (I know I have!)
mustang--So you still think Detroit is going to pull it out at the Q? Clearly to me the Pistons are still the better team, but those home-grown whistles for Bron Bron are tough to overcome.
Norcal--Good point about that rivalry. It's tough to think of Kobe and LeBron as any kind of rivalry when they only play twice a year. If Wade and LeBron meet I think it will be the start of something big. Arenas/James was special but I think this may even be a step above that (assuming the Pistons dont right the ship)
letsgoredwings--I think Wade has done it with class so far, you're right. Part of it in my mind is a single-minded desire to win and shutting out most of the other garbage. I'm ready for dinner myself but I'm going out to dinner w/my girl much, much later so I'm going to eat some junk food.
D-Wade doesn't get as much love as Lebron media-wise but I always have and still like Wade better than Lebron. Agree his outside shooting needs to get better and will make him that much more dangerous if he can consistently shoot a decent mark. Like you said, he has accomplished more in his career, even winning a first round series his rookie season. And that was before Shaq, when Odom and Caron Butler were still on the Heat. Wade vs. Lebron matchup. I'm in.
Nice post DrCrab. So true. I thought we, the Bulls, had a sleeper in that draft, but then, word got out that he might be a good player and he was gone before we had a chance.
The guy is an all around talent who goes about his business without complaining. The ad where he falls 7 times, and gets up 8, is brilliant.
Did IL&M do the "LeBrons" commercial? I didn't know that. Cool.
As for Wade's flushing abillity, as a Pacers fan I witnessed that a few years back in the playoffs. Flash threw down hard on Jermaine O'Neal, putting my man J.O. on a poster. That was a crazy dunk. Maybe his best ever.
Good fodder to digest.
I mean "fodder" in a good light. Banter would be bad...
Both Wade and James have to go to a finals to compare to Bird or Magic, and then there is the Isaih/Michael seven year plan...
Wade has Shaq, like Kareem to the young guns, and Lebron has...Ilgauskas?
Varejao. I say VAR (like varoom), EH (like the letter "a") JAO (like Chow, but with a SHe like in Gsa Gsa Gabor)
I studied intense Portuguese after learning fluent Spanish and a few other language studies...
Brazilian Portuguese, prof from Porto Alegre.
Then again, I might be wrong...
Good post as always Doc. Of course, many people forget about Wade because of the Diesel, but he has really play amazingly the last few years. You could probably argue that he's the best shooter in the league, and he's a bigger part of the Heats success then Shaq I think.
What, no "Blow the Whistle" as the song of the week? A travesty I say!
Good post Dr. Crab. It's true you shouldn't forget about Wade. If the Cav's get by the Pistons they will really have their hands full with Wade and Shaq to contend with, but then LeBron can be fairly formidable himself, so that would be a fantastic series.
If I may constructively point out, in the first paragraph when you say, "Miami is in the finals", it could be misleading to the reader. Eastern Conference Finals would erase all doubt.
Still a great post, just thought that last little bit would help.
tim--looking at your avatar, I can tell this post is for you. We know Wade's in the East finals, can LeBron step up again?
north--The Bulls have about 8,000 more draft pick these next two years, so they might pick up 2 or 3 more Wades.
ab--No, I doubt it was IL&M, but it definitely cost a #### load of money to make a mediocre commercial happen. Eddie Murphy played women too...
ed--Were you always this funny?
7 years would be cool but I'm praying that Arenas (who did hang with L.B.) sacks up a bit and at least does the Dominique thing sans highlight reel dunks if we're going to relive the 80's rivalries.
Pat--thanks and I think you're more of a traditionalist where font size is concerned. I think a big font reads a little easier. now that we don't have newspapers and have to save trees and $$$ I like a little bigger font. To each his own though!
MrNFL--Thanks NFL...I'm with you thinking Wade shouldering the lead while Shaq has the HOF career speaking fBr him because his game isn't doing it right now.
GBrent--lol on "Blow the Whistle"
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll make the edit. I can't pay you an editor's salary, so you'll just have to accept my gratitude.
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