Wade during this streak

Moggs24 · Post #1 » by **Moggs24** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:47 am

I'm not sure if this topic needs its own thread, but I just wanted to discuss the difference I have seen in Wade during this streak.

Remember how the first two years of the big three era, we all bitch and moaned about Wades lack of effort, over dependence on the refs, and his non existent mid range jump shot? Well all that has disappeared and what we are left with is a man on a mission. Not once during this streak have i seen him beg for a call from the refs or not hustle back on D. The guy is as locked in as I have seen him since the last time he felt he had something to prove (08-09).

I could argue till I'm blue in the face with none Heat fans, but I think he is the second best player in the league when healthy and focused and he is both of those things right now. This team is amazing to watch right now and I just find myself thinking wow it sucks this team can't play forever b/c this is the best team basketball I have personally watched.

Anyway that's my two cents. It's also great to see the role players playing so well for this team.

Post #2 » by **DefenseWins** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 5:05 am

Yep you are right. It occurred to me when they played OKC in Oklahoma, and Wade was in foul trouble all night, having to guard Durant and get called for BS fouls. I don't recall Wade yelling at the refs during his whole struggle all night on offense, and he wasn't even able to buy a call that night. Even in foul trouble he was still working hard out there and still played defense despite it all.

I think him being healthy has something to do with this. That knee surgery was a blessing.

GoodSir · Post #3 » by **GoodSir** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 5:07 am

He would be averaging 25ppg at least if he was the #1 option.

Post #4 » by **BFRESH44** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 5:09 am

Thank you Charles Barkley.

GoodSir · Post #5 » by **GoodSir** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 5:12 am

BFRESH44 wrote:Thank you Charles Barkley.

Post #6 » by **DefenseWins** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 5:22 am

BFRESH44 wrote:Thank you Charles Barkley.

LOL! I forgot about that.

FlashFlare · Post #7 » by **FlashFlare** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:47 pm

Difference I see: Dwyane Wade is healthy

vanhowell · Post #8 » by **vanhowell** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:50 pm

MV3 all day :rock:

Tim_Hardawayy · Post #9 » by **Tim_Hardawayy** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:53 pm

It makes me smile thinking of what he can do in the playoffs.

I know the 2011 Finals bring back a lot of bad memories, but it was crazy seeing Wade come out and look like the most dominant player in the world after he struggled in that Chicago series. He had EVERYTHING going in that series, drives to the hoop, athleticism (crazy dunks and blocks), great passes, midrange, and even the bankshot. I swear it seems like these days he saves his sick bankshots strictly for the playoffs now.

FlashFlare · Post #10 » by **FlashFlare** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:57 pm

Tim_Hardawayy wrote:It makes me smile thinking of what he can do in the playoffs.

I know the 2011 Finals bring back a lot of bad memories, but it was crazy seeing Wade come out and look like the most dominant player in the world after he struggled in that Chicago series. He had EVERYTHING going in that series, drives to the hoop, athleticism (crazy dunks and blocks), great passes, midrange, and even the bankshot. I swear it seems like these days he saves his sick bankshots strictly for the playoffs now.

I always wonder why he doesn't use the bank shot more often... maybe he is saving it for the playoffs. I remember his first few years, he had the bank shot AND that half spin fadeaway shot over the right shoulder... those two were just money. He should use it more.

Zasterror · Post #11 » by **Zasterror** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:21 pm

DatD-Wade3 wrote:Difference I see: Dwyane Wade is healthy

greg4012 · Post #12 » by **greg4012** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:01 pm

DatD-Wade3 wrote:Difference I see: Dwyane Wade is healthy

Definitely. But, over the past 2 years the main thing that frustrated me about Wade wasn't his seeming loss of athleticism or burst, it was the attitude he carried along with it. I know it has to be tough as hell to be playing with all of his nagging injuries and we can't blame him for his frustration, but it was still tough to see, especially as someone who has praised Wade over the years and defended him in a comparison against any other player in the league.

But, he is now not spending half the game in angry discourse with the refs, he is getting back on D, he is smoothly and quickly adjusting his game from dominant when Lebron is out to complimentary when Lebron is in the game.

He is playing some of his best bball now and it is extremely encouraging and great to see.

DWadeno3 · Post #13 » by **DWadeno3** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:39 pm

I'm not fully happy with him yet and still think he can do better. Especially during those stretches with LeBron out, he often times defers too much to the likes of Cole or Allen, which shouldn't be the case. Wade isn't a spot-up shooter, so having him hang around on the perimeter is the least efficient way to use him. That's where he needs to assert himself more. He's done it in some games, but not on a consistent basis.
He's playing well, but there's still room for improvement. The main focus for him is to stay healthy and keep the nagging injuries he suffered last season away because while they may not hurt your body a lot, they'll throw you off rhythm. I remember how he constantly had to sit out a game here and there due to sprained ankles or other small stuff and that just hasn't happened to him this year.

EDIT: Let's also credit LeBron here. His improved three-point shot has allowed him to stay off the ball more, even with Wade on the court, which allows both of them to play like no.1 options when they're on the court together. I remember our dominant run in December/January of 2010/2011 when D-Wade and LBJ were both on a tear. I'm seeing something similar during this current stretch.

420 · Post #14 » by **420** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:59 pm

My favorite player, the reason I got back into sports after a 10yr hiatus of hanging out on the streets with the wrong crowd. Great to see him getting the recognition he deserves.

Slot Machine · Post #15 » by **Slot Machine** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:35 pm

Yeah, I'm not sure when I realized, but I can't recall him complaining to the refs or not hustling since around November when he was still coming back from knee surgery. Agreeing with what you guys have said, it really does seem like he's out to prove everybody wrong because he's done pretty much exactly what we've asked for. No whining, better shooting, constant effort. LeBron and Wade are complementing each other so well right now.

If Wade could add a consistent 3 point shot over the next offseason, I'd be thrilled.

dreamchaser · Post #16 » by **dreamchaser** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:41 am

The man is my idol, if it wasn't for him & my brother I wouldn't even be watching the Heat, let alone the NBA since I grew up in love with football. It's amazing to watch this dude dominate, LeBron is amazing to watch but when Wade is on it just makes the game of basketball that much greater...

Zasterror · Post #17 » by **Zasterror** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:50 am

Chalm Down Bro wrote:Yeah, I'm not sure when I realized, but I can't recall him complaining to the refs or not hustling since around November when he was still coming back from knee surgery. Agreeing with what you guys have said, it really does seem like he's out to prove everybody wrong because he's done pretty much exactly what we've asked for. No whining, better shooting, constant effort. LeBron and Wade are complementing each other so well right now.

If Wade could add a consistent 3 point shot over the next offseason, I'd be thrilled.

Wishful thinking :lol:

If that were to happen though, jesus christ save us all

MartyCONLONNN · Post #18 » by **MartyCONLONNN** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:54 am

At this rate with his flourishing post-game and rediscovered mid-range game, Wade doesn't need to add a 3 ball to continue this type of dominance for the next 3-4 years. Instead, he can keep up this type of productivity by sharpening those post moves, those floater/push shots, and his mid-range game (maybe even the spot up jumper?). I much rather those skills take the next step than him going from a terrible three point shooter to a just below average 3 point shooter... not to mention we really don't want him taking the 3 anyways cuz it has proven in the past to take him away from what he does best.

nunemouse · Post #19 » by **nunemouse** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:42 am

Posted this in the player comparison board, thought it also applies here:

People are acting as if Wade has regressed or something since Lebron joined. It's funny because the same people wouldn't give much credence to the tons of statistical evidence that exists that paints Wade as a superstar, on Kobe's level but not quite at Lebron's.

You know what Wade's numbers per 36 are on the Heat when Lebron is on the bench?

26.9/5.8/5.2 with 0.8 blocks and 2.5 steals per game. (http://nbawowy.com/)

That's based on a 619 possession sample pool by the way.

So please, stop kidding yourself. Though Wade's game has changed, and his raw numbers have taken a hit as a result of playing with the league's best in Lebron, it's stupid to think that he regressed as a player. He's still top 5 in the league in PER (#1 for his position), top 10 in WS48 (#2 for his position) and number 3 in the league in APM (#1 for his position).

Chessboxer · Post #20 » by **Chessboxer** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:08 am

Its a great testament to Wade's talent commitment and intelligence what he has slowly done over big 3 era.

He completely revamped his game to play more off the ball to accomodate another ball dominant great player in Lebron James. Now that he is healthy us fans are finally seeing the fruits of it. I dont think alot of us understand how hard it is to make an adjustment like that when you've played your entire career a certain way and your'e forced to view game completely different in order to pick your spots and attack, and do so in the flow of the offense. It takes sacrifice and time.

Dude is just a winner and always does what it takes to win no matter what.

I'll be honest so far, this is fast becoming one of my most favorite Wade seasons' yet given how much he's expanded his game and the ridiculous level of efficiency he's playing at.