Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade confused by the hate he receives

When Dwyane Wade entered the league, many suggested his reckless (though extremely entertaining) style of play would eventually lead to the former Marquette talent spending mass amounts of time in the training room.

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So far that prediction has proven true as Wade missed nearly 30 games this season in effort to preserve him for the Miami Heat’s postseason run.

It’s a strategy, that despite some bumps in the road during the regular season, has seemingly paid off as Wade looks like the young, healthy All-Star talent so many remember him as.

Averaging 24 points against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, Wade told Bleacher Report’s Ethan Skolnick he doesn’t understand why so many want to bring him down.

“I don’t know why,” Wade told Skolnick. “I think I’ve been good for the game. I don’t know why anybody would want to get me out of here. I don’t know. I have noticed that. And they’re quick to move me out of the way. But, you know, it just makes the story better. Because I won’t let them move me, I won’t leave. I mean, I’m only 32 years old. Like Chris (Bosh) said (to the media), it’s not like I’m 40-something. So, I don’t know. I guess it’s just the way they want to do me.”

Before the series began, Pacers swingman Lance Stephenson said he hoped to ‘flare’ Wade’s knee up though the only thing that appears to have flared up is Wade’s motiviation.

It’s possible Wade may never be the player he once was given his health woes, but for stretches, he certainly looks to be the MVP-type talent he once was.