Wade thread #2; Update: Press Conference info page 9

[keithmad42]

I expect a few less PPG and that is fine. I think he will sub out after about 6 minutes and Sub back in later for Jimmy. Wade and Valentine will share Point guard duties in the second unit while Rondo and Jimmy are resting. He should play short 6-7 minute stretches where he can keep up a decent defensive intensity.

16ppg, 4 assists, 1.5 steals is all I'm looking for and the mentoring of Valetine will do for me. I wouldn't expect him to make all star but he is a guard so it's easier. I would expect his PPG and MPG numbers to increase in the playoffs.

Jimmy at Forward for the All-Star game is going to be tough, lot of good Forwards. James, George, Melo, Horford (if he's listed at PF), Millsap, and Batum are all in the conversation with him probably.

[Mobby]

That he:
Makes them better
Can mentor young players
Can be an example to F/As, "hey, it doesn't suck here"
Can be that locker room guy
Can be the conduit between Hoiberg and the players
Can show guys how to win

You make some good points, and the bolds are big "intangibles" that Wade brings in, for different reasons.

One, he was the big-name star who was rumored to have negative remarks about the Bulls organization. This gesture is a complete about-face on his previous position, and it bodes positively for future free agency situations. [Though personally, I think the whole "Bulls FO doesn't treat its players right" was a bit overblown.]

Two, if there's something Wade knows how to do, it's how to communicate with and influence people. If Wade and Hoiberg respect each other, Wade could be a nice ambassador who can smooth over any disagreements between coach and players. [Though again, I think the rumored disagreements may be a bit overblown, it's still an important point, especially in regards to how it affects the continued relationship between Butler and Hoiberg.]

[sco]

I'd love his minutes to come down from 33.8 to 30 (or even 28 using nights off). If so, I'd be fine with him going 18/4/4 on 47% shooting.

[FecesOfDeath]

A contender for sixth man of the year.

[JordansBulls]

If we can get Wade for the next 2 seasons as good as 2008 Tmac I would be very happy.

[ADDinChicago]

60 games played, 18+ppg & finishing higher than 7th and I'll call it a success. Other than points, I'm really not expecting much from Wade at 35.

[ATRAIN53]

I think he misses about 15 games over the season with minor injuries. But he's gonna be motivated for a nice playoff run, esp when he sees how rabid Bulls fans are about this team. He's the kind of player that will notice the difference between a sports town and a town that happens to have a sports team.

I think (hope) his DEFENSE will be what gets talked about late in the season.

[bulliedog8]

60 games, 15pts 4rebs 4asts per game on 45% shooting, 34% from 3. Avg defense at best on a consistent basis. Some games where he is bad, some where he is great.

[BullsRBest]

I think Wade was holding back like Peyton was until he got to Denver.

Heat Fan here crashing your boards. Allow me to weigh in on what you can expect.

1. Wade has not been holding back. Don't expect him to become the star he once was. Some games, he will be. But he does have another level he can go to in the 4th quarter and in the playoffs. He will want to prove himself to the Chicago fans, so I can guarantee you he will be going all out for you guys.

3. His defense is not great, but it's not bad either. I would even say it's underrated at this point. I think the Heat were a better defensive team with him off the court (for whatever +/- numbers are worth, which I take with a huge grain of salt). BUT -- in the fourth quarters, he will all of the sudden lock people down, get steals, and blocks shots.

4. He'll work just fine with Butler. I imagine he'll probably share a similar scoring load with him, probably average 19 a game like this year. I think he will adapt to Rondo as well. People generally don't realize that Wade is a very good off-ball player -- he isn't a 3pt shooter, but he is still one of the best cutters in the league, so hopefully Rondo will be able to work with that.

5. For those of you worried about the Chicago training staff keeping him healthy, my impression is that Wade has used his own training staff rather than the regular Heat trainers. I could be wrong about that, but I would not expect he will be solely relying on Chicago's training staff to keep healthy.

6. Most annoying thing is when he doesn't get back on defense and is yelling at the refs after a missed call. He has actually better at this last year though, I think.

7. The biggest thing is that he probably brings the greatest competitive spirit and leadership qualities you've had since MJ. Heat without Bosh and Whiteside last playoffs were dead in the water. When things started to collapse, everybody seemed to cave except Wade. He willed them to EC semi-finals and to 7 games each series. It is going to be great for Butler and all the others to be playing with him.

Bottom line is this is a better move than a lot of the media is giving credit to the Bulls for. This isn't Kobe recovering from an achilles injury on a farewell tour. Wade's got a couple more years playing at a high level. Best of luck to you guys next season.

Thank you so much for your Heat analysis on DWade! I always hoped he would come home to Chicago...just wish it was years earlier than this coming season, but I hope to get 2-3 years of All-Star DWade playing for the Bulls!
Pau Gasol has been nice for the past 2 years as well, even if his better playing days were over he is such a smart BBall player and his professionalism like DWade is awesome on and off the court!

[Stratmaster]

Assuming the Bulls have Wade, Butler and Niko all in the starting lineup, there are going to be a lot of free-throws. I'm a little concerned that the Bulls might win a lot but be a bit boring to watch.

[Threekola]

I think 18/4.5/4.5 on improved efficiency is realistic. I expect a little bit of a "sleep walk" through the regular season, which is fine. I think he'll be very good in the playoffs, like this year

[FreakMaster]

20/5/5

[DarthDiggler69]

Wade: 18/5/5
Butler: 18/5/3
Rondo: 10/10/6

[Bulls03]

He will basically be the same as last year except for an increase in efficiency by making a higher percentage of his shots.

23-5-4 51%

[JordansBulls]

60 games, 15pts 4rebs 4asts per game on 45% shooting, 34% from 3. Avg defense at best on a consistent basis. Some games where he is bad, some where he is great.

You gotta be kidding me here.

[Sebastian]

17-4-4, .530 TS%, 18 PER, 55 games played.

[Bulls03]

A lot of low expectations in here lol. There's going to be a lot of happy fans in here when he exceeds expectations next year.

[MC3]

I actually think Wade will have bounce season. Let's see. A new team. This certainly isnt Pau Gasol situation where he wanted to prove at age of 34 he is not done after Lakers. But certainly isnt paycheck also. He is on the new organization,, has new teammates, he might actually feel refreshed. And motivated likely thinking Heat thinks he is done.

Second. Unlike in Miami since Lebron left, he will neither need to be main offensive option. I believe it was hard tool as he got older for him after Lebron left to pick things up and produce every single night playing against best wings. He has Jimmy here to share offensive load. He will every night go on Carrolls, Korver's, Bazemore's, Ross's, Middleton's instead of PG13's, Lebron's, Leonard's and so on. Not only that he will either not need on defensive end to guard best wing. I know Justice and Deng did that also. Not saying he did it every night. But Jimmy is vastly superior player to anything what Heat had on perimeter on both ends.

Third, Bulls have again unlike Heat superior shooters which will likely help his game. Heat never had anything close to Doug whole season, Mirotic same (if you dont count Bosh). If Wade could play with Justice and Deng in lineups I dont see why he would have any problems with Doug and Mirotic. Not mention even Portis. We maybe lost Dunleavy but remember this was guy who missed first half season, and second half season was just there occupying space. And Moore can be replaced.


If Bulls solve spacing issues with distribution minutes between Rondo-Wade-Jimmy. I can easily see Wade having solid bounce season taking all together. How efficient number wise, points wise he will be depends on coaching staff. I certainly expect he has better season that last one.

[CBS7]

18/4/4, clear second option, 20 PER

[RebuildaBulls]

Wade: 60 games, 17.5ppg/4apg/4rpg

Jimmy 18ppg/5rpg/3apg