The NBA’s 30 best go-to players (#2: Dwyane Wade)
(photo. Mannion)
Who do you want your offense to run through with everything on the line? Counting down 30th to 1st (one per team), I’ve ranked the League’s go-to guys…
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They say Kobe is the closest thing to Jordan since Jordan. They might be right. But I can’t look at Dwyane Wade without seeing the closest thing to Young Jordan — the more explosive version who didn’t yet have that jumper at his command — that we’ve seen since Michael earned the nickname “Air.”
The parallels continue when you look at D-Wade’s current supporting cast; the one that isn’t fit to contend for a championship despite their leader being arguably the best player in the world. It’s too bad, because this past season, in which Miami fell short in the first round of the playoffs, happened to be the best run of Wade’s career — and that’s including ‘06 when he won a championship and Finals MVP. Wade led the NBA in scoring at 30.2 points per game in ‘08-09, along with 7.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.3 blocks. He had my vote for MVP, and I wouldn’t have been mad if he copped Defensive Player of the Year to go with it. Across the board, nobody was better and nobody carried a bigger load.
As simply as you can put it, Wade is Miami’s offense. And in crunch time, he’s the only one worth watching. The numbers don’t tell the whole story, but are impressive nonetheless. In “clutch time” last season, Wade was the League’s fourth-leading scorer (49.2 points per 48 minutes) and ranked seventh in assists (9.4 per 48). He was also fourth in clutch time blocks (4.9), the only guard in the NBA’s top 15 in that category. Wade was the third-leading scorer in the fourth quarter, and with 16 percent of his baskets in the fourth coming off assists, Chris Paul was the only player in the top 30 who had a lower percentage. In other words, nine times out of 10 Wade had to initiate his own offense, and even with the entire defense aware of that fact, he succeeded.
It helps that Wade has one of the best handles in the game, probably the best among non-point guards. His first step, ability to break through double teams and mastery of the hesitation make him next to impossible to keep out of the lane. And once he gets there, he can finish with a dunk, a reliable pull-up, or with circus shots that he hits too regularly for one person.
Then there’s the ability to get to the line. Wade ranked third behind Dwight Howard and Kevin Martin as the most prolific at getting free throws, averaging 9.8 per game and hitting 76 percent. Does he get a ton of superstar calls? Has he figured out how to flail and flop to coerce the refs? No question. But if it works and helps his team win games, Wade isn’t going to stop and you shouldn’t hold it against him. The object of the game is to take advantage of what you can within the rules, and Wade does that.
Off the top of my head, I can recall games last season against the Bulls, Nets, Jazz, Knicks, Suns, Kings, Magic, Warriors and Spurs that Wade basically won by himself. Certainly there are more than that, and to recount all the details and memorable moments would take too long anyway. He steps his game up in the most tense situations — please believe that if Miami had conquered Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs, they would have given Cleveland a competitive run simply because Wade wouldn’t let them go down meekly on a big stage against LeBron.
However, this year should be a repeat of last. Wade will own the highlight reels and the box scores, winning games on both ends of the floor and creating another portrait of what a go-to guy should be on every level. But even with his most Herculean effort, the Heat won’t be in a position to seriously contend for a championship. And it’ll be another one of those times when it’s frustrating for D-Wade to Be so much Like Mike.
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3. Paul Pierce
4. LeBron James
5. Tim Duncan
6. Dirk Nowitzki
7. Brandon Roy
8. Carmelo Anthony
9. Chris Paul
10. Deron Williams
11. Vince Carter
12. Joe Johnson
13. Danny Granger
14. Steve Nash
15. Kevin Durant
16. Gilbert Arenas
17. Derrick Rose
18. Chris Bosh
19. Andre Iguodala
20. Tracy McGrady
21. Baron Davis
22. Michael Redd
23. Devin Harris
24. Kevin Martin
25. Al Jefferson
26. O.J. Mayo
27. Stephen Jackson
28. Nate Robinson
29. Boris Diaw
30. Rip Hamilton
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October 27th, 2009 at 11:53 am
That's whats up says:
#1 is gonna be Manu Ginobili.
Kobe probably came in 31st, maybe 32nd
October 27th, 2009 at 11:59 am
IGP says:
Does this mean that Derek Fisher claims the top spot? People always say Kobe but I don’t know…
October 27th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
ToAn says:
The Machine at no. 1…i knew it. right choice anyway
October 27th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Jake says:
No one remembers the game vs NY last year where he got hit in the mouth, no foul was called, and he just went off for like 30-40 points, triple double to I believe.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Ian says:
igp
well kobe cant win without fish apparently how about the machine for the number 1 spot?
October 27th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
douglas copeland says:
man so many haters on this site but the world needs you. You don’t know if kobe’s the top go to player?lmao..yall cats really disrespecting the game. For the past 9 years GM’S,coaches and players have voted this guy the best clutch performer and the guy they would want with the ball with the game on the line in accordance the poll sports illustrated takes and yall are still saying you don’t know…one word to describe it….hate. Take a nap and think about it…why does my hatred for this guy burn so intensely?This guys earned this title but yall persist on disrespecting the game.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Jake says:
Leave the KOBE comments for his #1 posts
This is for Wade
Go HEAT
October 27th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
K Dizzle says:
Good write up. On point
October 27th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
flegman says:
it’s gonna be RON ARTEST #1!
October 27th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
ponky_alolor says:
best “no-change of pace” crossover in the game. no one can defend a high screen and roll with him. doesnt need to take 3s with his attack game. even heat’s go to guy on D. only needs a legit jordan sneaker and he’s set.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
No J Mayo says:
#1 DJ Mbenga. Recognize.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
JBaller says:
Marbury’s # 1…If you need a clutch player to ensure that at the end of the game your team aint got no shot!
D-Wade at #2 is a good call; I like Pierce over Lebron too. Mamba at #1 is right on for a couple more years anyway.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Celts Fan says:
@douglas copeland – are you 12 or just don’t understand sarcasm? wow…
October 27th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
douglas copeland says:
these cats can’t keep kobes name out there mouths the article is about D.Wade and the first two blogs cats is going at Kobe…same with that uprising when bron was voted #4 cats wanna spend the whole time blogging about Kobe and how he should be ranked lower than these cats..ridiculous.ian your a tool,kobe can’t do it without fish..get off of it you island idiot.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
douglas copeland says:
celts fan I can’t wait to see another one of your boston teams get burried. I can’t put into words how fun it’s been watching all your crap cities teams lose first the celtics in the playoffs this years and all those excuse makers and loud mouths declaring they’ll win this year..than the redsox getting curb stomped…and the patriots losing to the jets and denver.fantastic…celts fan maybe you’ll fall off because of the losing like you did the past 20 years before they got KG and ray allen and were chanting MVP for mamaba in TD bank and you’ll ofcourse re-emerge when they when another 30 years from now…smoke a cigar for your 08 championship in memory of Red it’s probably going to be your last for a while.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Diggity Dave says:
Wade is completely ICE cold in the clutch. Everyone hypes up Kobe and Lebron in the clutch, and I agree about Kobe. But Lebron has NOTHING on Wade in the clutch. Wade has more balls than the entire Cavs squad put together.
His fourth quarter scoring is something to behold. I was at the game where he scored 17 consecutive points on the GOOD Pistons squad:
Source Link: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gamecenter/recap/NBA_20060212_DET@MIA
When Riley and Pfund were scouting Wade at Marquette before the draft, they had a nickname for him: The Closer. It’s well deserved, and I wish it would stick in the NBA.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
sh!tfaced says:
Good one on DWade being the player that comes closest to MJ.
He’s one of the few athletes in today’s league who has a unique combination of an Old School Heart and a Modern NBA Game.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
douglas copeland says:
diggity dave I agree,I’ve been saying this for sometime stern is bron’s human pair of undees but real students of the game know dwades game is more developed than Bron’s and D.Wade has more kill in him.Whenever I see him play Kobe he competes he goes at Kobe on every play and I can see that in his intensity. Whenever I see Bron play him he looks like he’s a fan,like he’s still in awe of his idol…yes Bron has said Kobe his idol and it’s evident when he plays him I watch there interactions and I see Bron looking like a straight fan
October 27th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
control says:
“Does he get a ton of superstar calls? Has he figured out how to flail and flop to coerce the refs? No question. But if it works and helps his team win games, Wade isn’t going to stop and you shouldn’t hold it against him.”
Yeah, I can hold it against him. It’s sick watching the refs call fouls on anyone who looks at Wade. This spot should go to “Dwyane Wade and the Refs”. The guy is good, I’m not knocking that…but it’s just sick watching him play the game when the refs are doing what they are doing. It goes far and above “superstar” calls…
October 27th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Jake says:
As a Heat fan, Wade did not get many “calls” people think he does. Watch the Hawks series, where he was knocked down every which way and even their announcer says, “I’m Dyawne Wade, I do commercials” – and no fouls called. Its sick that he didn’t get more foul calls.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
douglas copeland says:
agree with you control this was evidenced in that mavs finals that’s why I couldn’t gather the energy to applaud them for that ship.This guy was getting super ridiculous call still no one gets the calls bron gets..and now I see why with Stern disrespecting the game and saying Bron is the best player to descend to planet earth and placing him above MJ…straight disrepect.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
SayItAintSo says:
I agree with control…I hold that against him for REAL. It ain’t basketball skill that makes guys like Wade and LBJ put up numbers. If you simply RUN into the paint full speed everytime, you’re going to get fouled. I think anyone could do that but that’s why I enjoy watching players with SKILL i.e. Kobe, Duncan, B-Roy, etc.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Ian says:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
celts fan dont even bother this fool cant see pass kobes nuts to understand sarcasm. he already has like 5 posts about kobe. i mean wow how stupid can one man be?
apparently kobes nuts are one hell of a drug.
sarcasm fool sarcasm.
now that he brings it up how many times has kobe won without fish?
October 27th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
JordaMnnnn! says:
and the no.1 spot go to…………………
Brian Scalabrine for threeeeeeee
October 27th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
JordaMnnnn! says:
and the no.1 spot go to…………………
Brian Scalabrine for threeeeeeee
October 27th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
douglas copeland says:
hey ian you guys are going to have a great season.LMAO.look for jefferson to revitalize those retirees..I’ll be preparing for a get together at my house to celebrate the 09 champs getting there rings today.while you’ll be dodging huricanes and replacing foil on the antennas on your box tube tv in hopes of trying to catch an NBA game…man the spurs really suck…If denver sees them in the playoffs they will beat them..If we see yall we’re going to thrash you….we have to many problems on our team that you guys have no answers for…you better hope those guys are getting there sleep and taking there vitamins they have a long and rigorous stretch ahead of them.good luck.lmao.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
douglas copeland says:
ian?how many more times will time duncan win?….exactly..no more…it’s time to retire or get traded to a team with young,stacked talent.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Ian says:
douglas
sarcasm: a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark.
“hey ian you guys are going to have a great season lmao” that was funny?
that is sad mr. c a get together to watch some dudes getting a ring.
dodging hurricanes? wow you really need to do some research hurricanes here is just normal rain tell me what a bit of water does to fl and new orleans you guys need to stop using cardbox for house building.
the spurs really suck? ok and your point is? you need to get a bit more original every topic no matter what it is after someone points out how dumb you are you end it with a spurs are old and suck. whats the point? if you , the lakers , and kobe are so great why waste time posting or answering. do you get an email alert everytime someone posts the name kobe cuz thats the only time you seem to comeout.
yes we now celts , orlando , spurs , cleveland sucks
lebron is overrated
the lakers are the best ever and kobe is the best ever
but still you look ignorant everytime you post.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Ian says:
again douglas who cares if he wins more? how does my life change? do i get paid? i sure hope the lakers have you one their payroll. why are u even bringing this up? wasnt the topic wade 2 and a laker 1. why change it? cuz someone pointed out that you are to stupid to realize we all were messing around here.
you remind me of deniro in the fan.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Ian says:
later dc gotta go pick up some stuff as usual its been good.
October 27th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
douglas copeland says:
alright ian i’ll hollar at you later.stay up it was fun as usual.
October 27th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
D-NICE says:
This whole article sums up why Dwyane Wade has been my favourite player on the planet for so long. I’ve been making the same comparsion about him and Young Jordan for a while now. In time, he will take over as the closest thing to Jordan since Jordan. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
RellbaNgaz says:
………….And how/why did Allen Iverson NOT make this list???? Top 30
October 27th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Sparkyjay23 says:
16% is one in ten?
Get your dumbass back to school
everything else is on point
October 27th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Mr. Wang says:
i cant wait to see #1…it HASSSS to be DJ M’Benga!
He’s the M’Best in the clutch!!!
October 27th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
egypt says:
see i dunno, i love wade… way i look at it… if im playing pickup, and i got first pick… most likely im taking kobe i understand that….
but the other captain on the other team… i just cant see him picking wade or pierce over lebron… i just cant see anyone doing that outside of Boston…
October 27th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Kevin says:
@Sparkyjay23 — 16% IS between one and two, so umm … how’s school?
October 28th, 2009 at 10:51 am
92021SpurMD says:
Austin, and while i’m at it, dime commentors too, how could you all forget to mention the crunch time play he had in the OLYMPICS??!!! He was second to only one player when it came to the crunch time in the olympics, and that happens to be the person who’s copping the number 1 spot in this chain of articles. How can you forget to mention that this man was one of only two who “got it done” when USA needed it, on a team filled with these selected “go-to” guys. That’s the only explaination you really needed to give, for D-Wade or Kobe!!