D-Wade’s Back In The Game
By Paulie Knep
Love of Sports Correspondent
American basketball fans rejoiced as the Redeem Team reclaimed the United States’ spot atop the pantheon of international basketball.
Yet, nobody enjoyed the ride more than Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley, the coach and general manager of the Miami Heat. That’s because Dwyane Wade looked like the Dwyane Wade of old.
The Heat selected Wade with the fifth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, and though he was overshadowed by fellow draft picks Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, he quickly developed into an elite NBA player. After his rookie season, the Heat acquired Shaquille O’Neal to play alongside him, forming the most dynamic duo in the league.
In 2006, the world took notice as Wade led the Heat to a championship with one of the greatest Finals performances in NBA history. He carried the team on his back, averaging 34.7 points per game and was rewarded with the Finals MVP award.
That’s when the superlatives began to fly; “Best player on the planet,” “The next Michael Jordan,” “The new face of the NBA.” Writers predicted how many championships the 24-year-old would win throughout his career.
Hype aside, one thing was for certain: any discussion about the best player in the NBA had to include D-Wade.
The celebration in Miami was short-lived, as the Heat began to crumble during the 2006-07 season. O’Neal was sidelined with injuries, Riley missed time after undergoing hip replacement surgery and Wade dislocated his left shoulder during a game in February.
Wade opted to wait until after the season to have surgery, and after two months of rehabilitation he returned for the playoffs. However, the Heat’s quest for a repeat was thwarted. They were swept in the first round by the Chicago Bulls.
Though Wade averaged 23.5 points a game in the series, he was clearly not himself. Slowed by a nagging left knee injury and reluctant to drive because of his shoulder, he lacked the explosiveness, which had made him so unstoppable a year earlier.
After the season, he had surgery on his knee and shoulder, forcing him to miss the Tournament of Americas Olympic Qualifiers, all of training camp and the Heat’s first eight games.
The team slipped into a freefall this past season. O’Neal was injured, feuded with Riley and was eventually traded to Phoenix. Alonzo Mourning blew out his knee, and the team sorely missed jettisoned role players James Posey and Jason Kapono.
Worst of all, Wade wasn’t the same player he’d been during the 2005-06 season. His knee still bothered him, sapping him of the athleticism he’d displayed earlier in his career. His field goal percentage dipped considerably and he led the NBA in turnovers per game.
The Heat shut him down for the final 21 games and finished the season with a league-worst 15-67 record.
Two years after being anointed the face of the NBA, Wade was blamed for the Heat’s struggles and was the subject of much criticism. Some analysts argued that success had changed him, that he’d lost his hunger to win and had become cocky. Critics pointed to his high turnover rate as evidence of selfish play. Others said he was injury prone and concluded that his body had received too much punishment from years of reckless drives to the basket.
Throughout last season, there was an ongoing debate as to who the best player in the league was, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James. When the discussion expanded to include the next best players, Paul Pierce, Chris Paul, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett were mentioned. Wade had slipped off the radar.
D-Wade allowed his knee to heal during the final months of the season and hooked up with Tim Grover, the trainer known for working with Michael Jordan late in his career.
When the Redeem Team took the court in Beijing, it was clear Wade was healthy. It wasn’t a coincidence the team typically pulled away from their opponents in the second quarter. Wade energized the entire team when he entered the game, attacking the rim, stepping into passing lanes and diving on loose balls.
In fact, Wade looked even better than he did in 2006. Defense was never his calling card, but in Beijing he suffocated opposing ball handlers, forcing turnover after turnover with his quick feet and long arms. He also added muscle to his upper body, making him better equipped to absorb the contact he encounters when driving to the basket.
Wade led the Americans in scoring for the tournament and answered critiques who labeled him selfish and arrogant, by graciously accepting his role off the bench. He scored 27 points against Spain in the gold medal game, including a clutch three pointer with two minutes remaining to put the game out of reach.
On a team full of stars, Wade was the Most Valuable Player.
The Heat are in rebuilding mode and were faced with a great deal of uncertainty this summer. Spoelstra and Riley can take a deep breath, knowing their greatest concern’s been resolved. Dwyane Wade is back - and he may be better than ever.
Now, when the debate over the best player in the NBA resurfaces, D-Wade will once again be at the center of the discussion.
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