Dwyane Wade is back
Dwyane Wade (photo. Mannion)Why will this be the best season ever?
DWYANE WADE IS BACK
How soon y’all forget.
It wasn’t but two years ago that D-Wade was sitting on top of the world, having just won an NBA championship while throwing 40s on the board and taking Finals MVP. Back then, he was the one wearing the “Is he our generation’s Jordan?” tag that Kobe is currently saddled with. Back then, D-Wade was the present and future of the NBA.
Today, he is simply trying to prove he still belongs at the grown-up table. Two seasons of injuries, one season away from the playoffs, some willing replacements like Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, and all of a sudden Wade has slipped from the fickle fan’s memory.
The Olympics did a lot to help restore Wade’s rightful place in the game, but as many contended (rightfully), it wasn’t exactly the best competition all the way through. And so questions remain. Can he stay healthy through an entire 82-game slate? Has he lost that attack-mode instinct that made him so great in the first place for fear of getting hurt? Is he really that good without Shaq or some other superstar big man at his side?
After two years of frustration and fear that he might become the next Grant Hill/Penny Hardaway, D-Wade is doing all he can to get back to his 2006 form. At an age (26) where he better understands the value of taking care of his body, where he won’t just rely on being faster/quicker/shiftier, it’s not about training harder but training smarter. In between the end of last season and the Olympics, Wade focused a lot of his training on strengthening his legs, which he admits he hadn’t done since college. It’s impossible to say he won’t ever miss 30 games in a season again, but it seems less likely.
For Dwyane Wade, all he has to do is get on the court and stay on the court. That’s going to happen this year. And that’s when the people will remember what the game’s been missing.
Is a healthy D-Wade one of the five best players in basketball?
The New “Best Season Ever”
1. Chris Paul will win MVP…
2. …but Paul Pierce will prove he’s the best player in the world
3. The Clippers are alive
4. Ron Artest will get some MVP votes
5. Vince Carter will give a damn
6. The return of rivalries
7. The NBA has never had so much young talent
8. You have to keep an eye on the Euroleague
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November 10th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
The Real Tyrone says:
Ain’t no doubt that a healthy D-Wade is one of the best ballers y’all. Dude’s got wicked scoring ability and dishes some real dope ‘n nasty dimes. He gots ability to throw down them nasty rejections as well y’all.
True thugs never lie.
Tyrone
November 10th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Mr. K1X says:
he needs help. bease and marion look weak so far. they need to get cook more minutes
November 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
E$ says:
I haven’t forgotten….Do they want Tmac in Miami?
November 10th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Blue says:
No doubt he’s top 5. I would say top 3. That little step back jumper is pretty deadly. he can slice through defenders like a hot knife through butter. he can read the passing lanes. he can dish the rock. he can pretty much do it all like his numbers this year are indicating. but for sure he’s in the top 5 in the league.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
blah says:
yeah he’s top 5, even though i’m not a fan. all that falling and grimacing was annoying in 06. dude looked reckless. he better develop a jumper cuz he’ll be a has-been once his quickness goes.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
R.ELI says:
yes
November 10th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Skeez says:
Healthy D-Wade is easily one of the top 5 players in the league….Top 3 in my opinion. Check his stats from last yr….with the exception of TO’s he averaged 25 pts, 7 asts, and 4 reb a game. Not shabby for someone w/ a bum shoulder and knee. He will seriously have to get consideration for MVP if the Heat make any kind of noise in the East
November 10th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Dagomar says:
It’s not just about health, it’s about confidence, timing, etc. – the guy’s head, in other words. Looks like he’s in peak shape and he’s finally getting his confidence back right now. I think we can say he’s top-five again, though what that five looks like after the first two I really don’t know.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
People thought I was crazy drafting D wade 2nd in my fant draft even passing on my boy Kobe. But they recognize now after stat lines like 30 pts 10 dimes 6 boards and 5 steals
November 10th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
Nah who would you take off?
1) Kobe
2) Lebron
3) Duncan
4) KG
5) CP3
November 10th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Ashlov says:
Wade is easily top 3, above Duncan and KG. (That rhymed, re-read it in your head, and do a beat box to it.) He’s already tearing it up, and we’re not even ten games into the season. By the end of this season, all you naysayers are going to be nose deep up his ass singing his praises.
Dwyane Wade’s belief is stronger than your doubt.
November 10th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
heartbreaker85 says:
d-wade’s nice, but he palms the ball a lot and commits 4 turnovers his ENTIRE CAREER.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Brandon Hoffman says:
Top ten, yes.
Top five, no.
1. Kobe
2. LeBron
3. CP3
4. KG
5. Duncan
November 10th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Jones says:
the best player in the world.
1.Dwade
2.Kobe
3.Pierce
4.Duncan
5.JJ
6.LeBron
7.CP3
8.Dwight
November 11th, 2008 at 8:25 am
MSkittle says:
Yes
January 10th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Mani Ramamoorthy says:
Dwyane Wade is the best in the world. He has his speed and quickness back, and with that, he is unstoppable to getting to the rim. He gets to the freethrow line,which means he is back.