Known as one of the modern greats, Dwyane Wade is a player with some serious fame behind his name. From his first time stepping on the court wearing the Miami Heat jersey in 2003, he continued to show us his grit and determination, resulting in several NBA Championships, Olympic Game medals and an array of awards and achievements. In this blog, we’re highlighting some of Wade’s top career moments that remind us why we love the NBA.
5. Miami Heat’s First Championship
We weren’t kidding when we said Wade was one of the modern greats. Wade’s third season with the Miami Heat saw the club win its very first NBA Championship – while he was still on his rookie contract. With a great start during the regular season and pushing through a tough playoff against the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons, Wade got the Heat to the NBA Championship to face the Dallas Mavericks.
With the help of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal in tow, the Heat went head-to-head with the Mavericks to win a 4-2 game lead, securing the Heat’s first-ever NBA Championship and earning Wade the Finals MVP trophy. A huge moment in Wade’s career, three years in and already topping the game, what could be more impressive?
4. Slam Dunk Over Rodney Carney
Throughout his career, Wade became known as a ferocious player, especially when it came to blocking other players dunks. However, in a February game in 2008, Wade was bested by Philadelphia 76ers Rodney Carey with a slam dunk over him during the second quarter. Reporters said it was so vicious it might hold up for the NBA’s best dunk of the year award. Although Carney was pleased, the crowd knew there would be a part two to this saga – and there was.
Wade bided his time, and during the fourth quarter of the same game, received a pass by Ricky Davis. Wade blitzed it down the court, and in an instant, performed a turnaround dunk on Carney, doing him one better. Nothing beats this moment, especially seeing Wade stare down Carney and coolly walk away. He may have received a T from the refs for it, but it was well worth it.
3. 2010 All Star Game
The All Star game weekend is always fun way for popular players to give back to the fans – and man, the 2010 game didn’t disappoint. Wade, being part of the East team, was on a roll that day, racking up 28 points, six rebounds, and an All Star career-high of 11 assists during the game. The East definitely outshined the West, awarding Wade the All Star MVP award, a huge honour for the superstar.
Other players during this game also stepped it up, including both LeBron James and Wade showing off with some awesome high-flying dunks. While both East and West teams left their respective fans speechless with suspenseful and jaw-dropping moments, Wade definitely left his fans wanting more after this game.
2. Wade’s 2006 Circus Shot
During the 2006 Eastern Conference finals against the Detroit Pistons, the world got to see what Wade could really do. Wade attempted a shot that captured the nation – a circus shot in the final few minutes of the fourth quarter. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a circus shot is described as a shot that a player takes mid-air, off-balance and with their back to the hoop, definitely a shot you don’t see every day.
Wade, seeing an opening, drove hard and in a swift motion, jumped, turned and made the shot over his head at the basket, stunning everyone. This shot set up the Heat to win the Eastern Conference and head to the finals, where Wade also led the team to their very first victory. What a knockout from Wade and a seriously awesome shot for the history books.
1. Wade’s Double Overtime Game-Winner Against the Chicago Bulls
Our top pick for this list is from the nail-biting, all exciting, totally fantastic moment for Dwyane Wade. In the final game of the 2009 NBA finals against the Chicago Bulls, the teams were sent into double overtime – you can imagine that the stakes were high.
With literally seconds on the clock and a tie of 127 points, it was now or never for Wade to do what he was known for – get furious. While John Salmons from the Bulls briefly looked away, Wade stole the ball and sent it down the court to the 50 ft line. Following that drive, Wade skilfully sunk a running three-pointer straight into the basket, sealing the NBA Championship for the Heat. An amazing triumph for the Heat and Wade’s career as one of the NBA's finest.
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