Does Dwyane Wade have a shot to surpass Dan Marino...

[GreenHat]

He doesn't anymore. I'm just glad both were in Miami, but Miami has always been a football town. Just to show you how it works, Lebron and Wade can win the next 3 NBA Finals but if Tannehill wins ONE Super Bowl, he will surpass them both. That's how strong the Dolphins' culture is around here.

When Wade won the championship in 2006, that was very debatable. When he brought Bosh and Lebron, he definitely made his case stronger. But now as the sidekick, he pretty much will stick with number 2. His contributions to the team and the community will keep him there.

Lebron isn't even as popular as Alonzo was and still is in Miami, hell I don't even think he's as popular as Shaq was (Shaq really filled the house at the Triple A).

This is only Lebron's 2nd year here and its not even done yet.

Wade will pass Marino, especially if the team keeps winning and the Dolphins keep losing (tilting the franchise importance scales). The Bears and Cubs were a lot more popular than the Bulls until the Bulls started winning a lot. People like a winner.

If the Heat keep winning Wade and Lebron will both pass Marino.

[GreenHat]

He will. The city is bigger than the Marino years. There's an entire generation of kids who have never seen Marino play. Wade is already the athletic symbol of this city. The rise of the Bradys and Rogers of the world have also diminished Marino's name. The Heat are the most-relevant thing going. If the Marlins had kept those teams together, some of those players might be big names, but they're not. Only Wade is remembered fondly for a championship down here. PEACE.

A generation who haven't seen him play and even more who only saw him at the end. You also make a good point about the new QBs. With the new rules Marino isn't way out ahead in the stats anymore.

[Tony Fiorentino]

I've always heard negatives about Marino. Not sportswise but in terms of personality and such. Couple that with the never winning a championship (AFC champs doesnt count) while Wade has. Also, he had that short-lived front office stint with the Phins. Meanwhile has a squeaky clean PR and stays involved in charity/community events. Pretty clear that Wade will eventually "surpass" Marino if he hasn't already.

[twix2500]

Yes, by the end of his career he will be more beloved than Marino. People will not give him that title to Wade while he is still playing, but when its all over with and he retires and never leaves the Heat he will be number one. Alonzo would be as equal if he never left for New Jersey. Some still angry over that. I understood why Zo left and supported that decision.

[This IsMy House]

I think he can be an equal to the Miami community as Dan Marino. Dan was the man(no pun intended) and the city loved him like no other. Wade is also the man and the city loves him like no other. The only two things that make Wade better in my eyes for Miami is that he had the opportunity to leave for better things and instead brought it all here where he loves to be, and he had a championship. Both will be Miami Sport lords forever, time will tell with how Wade continues in his career and post career in Miami.

[Pimpwerx]

I've always heard negatives about Marino. Not sportswise but in terms of personality and such. Couple that with the never winning a championship (AFC champs doesnt count) while Wade has. Also, he had that short-lived front office stint with the Phins. Meanwhile has a squeaky clean PR and stays involved in charity/community events. Pretty clear that Wade will eventually "surpass" Marino if he hasn't already.

It goes unnoticed, but Chad Pennington actually has some cachet down here thanks to his stint on the Phins.

As for Marino's personality, I found him to be a nice guy the one time I met him. Then again, he was taking a tour of my school, where he sent his kid. He liked my classroom. PEACE.

[TaiLs21]

If the Heat lose would Lebron go Ray Finkle on Dwayne Wade?

[TheAnkh]

I think no. As much as I love the guy, he doesn't have a die hard fan base for him as a player. At all. That is a requirement to be as immortalized as Marino was. It has only taken basically a season and a half for LeBron to supplant him entirely as the face of the Heat franchise and person that most of the fanbase is more vocal about getting awards, recognition, and even defending from hate.

Now that he's become more outspoken about being "Robin" to LeBron's "Batman" its over for him in that regard. Its kind of ironic because last year we were all worried about LeBron's legacy taking a hit because of The Decision, but its become pretty clear that Wade's is going to take the biggest hit of the 3 by far.

[Flashpoint]

I never would have thought it possible when Lebron first came here, but I think he might have the best shot of becoming THE sports icon for South Florida. The injuries and team struggles really took their toll on the perception of Wade. Along with the fact that he's not the worker he used to be. But Lebron is so damn good and can be potentially showered in so many accolades that it's going to be hard for him not to dominate the spotlight after several years. That's provided he decides to finish his career in Miami (which is a big ?). He also would have to work to become a bigger figure in the community and embrace the area more. He'd have to give up rambling on about Akron all the time.

[TheAnkh]

I never would have thought it possible when Lebron first came here, but I think he might have the best shot of becoming THE sports icon for South Florida. The injuries and team struggles really took their toll on the perception of Wade. Along with the fact that he's not the worker he used to be. But Lebron is so damn good and can be potentially showered in so many accolades that it's going to be hard for him not to dominate the spotlight after several years. That's provided he decides to finish his career in Miami (which is a big ?). He also would have to work to become a bigger figure in the community and embrace the area more. He'd have to give up rambling on about Akron all the time.

Exactly. Even in our offense Wade is the stepchild at this point lol. And Riley and Spoelstra don't promote him or talk about his contributions anymore. I'm sorry but he doesn't have a chance. The world has been given to LeBron, and that includes South Florida!

[Carlos4Heat]

In my opinion,Dan Marino will always be "That Dude" in South Florida.For the simple fact that--people eat,sleep and breathe football down there.

[Tony Fiorentino]

If the Heat lose would Lebron go Ray Finkle on Dwayne Wade?