Image via Complex Original
Hard to believe it has been 10 years since Dwyane Wade exploded onto the NBA scene. And in that time, Flash has achieved many team and individual accolades during his tenure in Miami. Nothing was handed to him; he had to learn how to win from within. Coming off back-to-back championships, here are the 10 Greatest Moments Of Dwyane Wade’s Career.
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10. Elite 8 Triple-Double in 2003
In the annals of history, every great player has one of “those” games that puts them on the map. For Dwyane Wade, it was the Elite 8 in the 2003 NCAA Tournament against Kentucky. With Marquette looking to advance to its first Final Four since they were crowned NCAA champs in 1977, Wade alerted the world that he had arrived. His 29-point, 11-rebound, and 11-assist performance not only helped the Golden Eagles advance to New Orleans, but it was also a display from a combo guard that had NBA scouts and GMs buzzing. Three months later, Wade was selected fifth overall in the NBA Draft by the Miami Heat.
9. 2004 Playoff Buzzer Beater vs. Hornets
For the first time since 2001, the Heat were back in the postseason. And just like Wade had done the year before in college, he rose to the occasion when the time called for it. In Game 1 against the Hornets, with time winding down and the score tied, Wade owned the moment as his driving one-handed floater beat the buzzer and gave the Heat the win in Miami.
8. Buzzer Beater Caps Off 23-Point Performance in 4th Quarter and OT vs. Jazz
In 2004, the Heat acquired Shaquille O’Neal to pair with Wade in an attempt to take the next step forward in the Eastern Conference. Shaq had no issue letting everyone know this was Wade’s team, and on a November night in Miami against the Jazz, Wade solidified just that. He delivered 23 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including rattling in a 17-footer off the left elbow as time expired to defeat the Jazz.
7. Triple-Double in Detroit
December evenings in Detroit can be quite chilly—especially for opponents during the 2004-05 season. But not on this night. Wade led Miami into the Motor City and heated up the Palace with his first career triple-double. His 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists were quite a stat line against the defending champs, and told Detroit, “We are here to take the East,” as this was Miami’s 13th win in a row.
6. This Is My House
On March 9, 2009, on his way to the league scoring title, Wade put on one of the greatest individual displays we have seen from anyone in recent history. In the process of leading the Heat past the Bulls in double overtime, Wade scores 48 points on 15-21 shooting, dishes out 12 assists, makes a three-pointer to close the half, and with 11.5 to go in regulation, which set up one of the greatest finishes to a game you’ll ever see.
With the game tied at 127 in double OT, and the Bulls’ John Salmons looking to attack from the right side to take the final shot, Wade zips over, steals the ball, and heads up the other way. Looking at the game clock ticking down, he fires a one-legged running three-pointer which he buries as the final buzzer sounds. Wade immediately sprints to the scorer’s table to celebrate with the home fans, and reminds everyone “This is my house!” as the stunned Bulls exit stage left.
5. 2005 All-NBA Second Team
Making the All-NBA Team is quite an honor, and in Wade’s second full season he was honored with an All-NBA Second Team selection. Flash averaged 24.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game in 77 contests for the Heat. Though Miami would fall to the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, the writing was on the wall that the Heat were a championship contender and Wade was quickly becoming part of the NBA’s elite.
4. 2009 NBA Scoring Champion
After five All-Star Game selections, a championship and a Finals MVP, Wade adds another major individual accomplishment to his résumé as he leads the league in scoring averaging 30.2 points per game. Along with the scoring title, Wade also averaged 7.5 assists and shot an impressive 49 percent from the floor as he led the league in both field goals made and attempted, and second in both free throws made and attempted.
3. 2010 NBA All-Star Game MVP
Now winning an All-Star Game MVP in any city is special, but winning one in Dallas, in front of 108,000 fans, well, that may have its own category. Wade reminded the city of Dallas what he achieved in the ’06 Finals by leading the East with 28 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and five steals in a 141-139 win. Again, in front of 108,000 people.
2. 2006 Conference Finals Domination
After falling to Detroit in a seven-game heartbreaker the year before, Wade put on a display for the ages in a six-game conference finals triumph. Wade averaged 26 points per game, including topping 30 three times as the Pistons had no way to stop him and the Heat advanced to their first-ever NBA Finals.
1. 2006 NBA Finals MVP
Down 2-0 in the NBA Finals? No need to worry, the Flash is here. Wade simply puts together one of the all-time great individual performances in Finals history, posting two 40-plus-point and two 36-point games as he demoralizes the Mavericks and delivers the city of Miami their first NBA title. For the series, his 34.6 points per game is the most in a Finals series since Allen Iverson in 2001.