JulesWinnfield wrote:LivingLegend wrote:JulesWinnfield wrote:
I want no part of Wade whatsoever. Clearly on the decline which will only continue... messes with the spacing on offense because he can't shoot... can't trust him whatsoever physically even though he's coming off a shockingly healthy year (good luck betting on that to continue). I'd prefer JR for this team without even thinking twice about it. Better shooter, better defender at this stage, more reliable availability... They need catch and shoot guys surrounding Lebron and Kyrie, Smith is a very nice fit. Wade in place of JR won't make this team one iota better. In fact I think he makes them worse. I'm not saying JR is a better player, but he's absolutely a better fit. Putting smith in Miami in place of Wade and the heat would suffer themselves too. This is about fit
If it is about fit, what better fit in NBA history was Wade and LeBron besides maybe Kobe/Shaq. When those 2 played together a few years back they each elivated eachother games because of their chemistry and playmaking abilility for one another. Yes JR is a great 3 point shooter, but Wade is a much better passer and shot creator who can still get you 25 points a game. Just not from chucking 3s like JR.
In regards to the defense, historically Wade is a much better defender than JR. He might not play like it all the time during the regular season because of age, but once the postseason rolls around Wade will go into lockdown defense knowing he doesnt have to carry the scoring load.
You can find a player to be a 3point shooting machine off the bench to fill JRs spot. There are plenty of them out there. Courtney Lee, Jared Dudley or a guy like Anthony Morrow who could come for the vet minimum but just stand there any rain uncontested 3 balls off the bench if Wade/Kyrie/LeBron were on the floor.
Would I love to keep JR, sure. But if I can have Dwayne Wade over him for 2-3 years (since they are both on the backside of their careers) give me Wade anytime and its not even a question. Playing with LeBron on a legit title contender also might put some spring back in that step of his and extend his career playing with his best buddy for rings.
For a time LBJ/Wade had overpowering talent as a duo (that time has passed however, right around the time the 27 game win streak ended when Wade was battling his knee bruise) that's not to be confused with fit though.
Forget going through all time pairings, I don't even think Wade was the best fit Lebron has ever had in a sidekick. Offensively at least Kyrie is a superior pairing with Lebron because of his ability to space the floor and shoot it at a high level working off James, in addition to everything he brings in ISO. The heat never had a playoff run where they operated on as high a level offensively as this cav team just did posting a 115.5 o-rating. Lebron and Wade were never the most natural pairing given their overlapping traits, and they had their issues initially, but their talent was just overpowering and eventually they figured out a mix...from 2012 through about mid 2013 (27 game win streak) they made beautiful music together, but late that year Wade had the knee bruise and from then onward it has just been steady deterioration. He's not that guy anymore, not even close, never will be again, and it's only getting worse from here on out. I want no part of him on the Cavs
lol yea but Kyrie vs Wade isnt the question. Its Wade vs JR. Would I trade Kyrie for Wade? hellll no. But JR for Wade even with the injury concerns? Absolutely. Having Kyrie/LeBron/Wade on the floor in the postseason would be deadly from an experience level, playmaking level and matchup nightmare level. JR is a great 3+D guy. You can go find another one with his skillset for less than he will be asking (Anthony Morrow). You cannot go find another guy like Wade who brings a championship pedigree, playmaking for others on the court (because all that we have now is Bron) and all around good play.
