ShowTimeERA wrote:So do we dismiss the fact that Wade is a clutch performer and has been vital for MIA this season in the 4th quarter where Lebron routinely struggles.
This entire narrative is overblown. I've listed several links to NBA.com's advanced stats page which can clear this up.
http://tinyurl.com/6tmvsx6James averages 5.4 points in the fourth quarter, in 7.8 minutes, on 56.7% TS
In games without Wade, that jumps up to 8.2 points, in 7.9 minutes, on 59.5% TS
http://tinyurl.com/6udrlpxWade averages 5.6 points in the fourth quarter, in 9.0 minutes, on 51.2% TS
http://tinyurl.com/86gt6m3James averages 28.7 points per 36 minutes of clutch time on 54.7% TS, in a sample of 104 minutes.
http://tinyurl.com/blhz9c2Wade averages 22.8 points per 36 minutes of clutch time on 49.5% TS, in a sample of 87 minutes.
Now, factor in the fact that James actually IMPROVES his rebounding (shoots up to 11.8 per 36 from his usual 7.6), turns the ball over far less (TO% drops down to 7.08 from 10.64), maintains his assist rate, increases his usage (meaning he actually takes more shots in crunch time, not less), and pumps up the defensive intensity, it's absolutely laughable to assert that Lebron has struggled while Wade has been the clutch performer, when the evidence obviously suggests the opposite.