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.