5 reasons Dwyane Wade is the greatest player in Miami Heat history

This Thursday, November 10th, the Chicago Bulls will travel down to Miami for a matchup with the Heat. Dwyane Wade will be playing in American Airlines Arena for the first time as a visitor. The sight of Wade in a jersey that is not the Heat’s is a startling sight to many NBA fans, who were confused as to why the 14 year veteran left Miami in the first place. Though the exact reasoning of his departure is in question, the impact that Dwyane Wade had on the Miami Heat organization should not be. He is the greatest player in Heat history, and here’s why:

5. He owns the Miami Heat record book

The Miami Heat have had a relatively short history compared to many other NBA teams. Until Dwyane Wade arrived in Miami in 2003, the Heat were really yet to make a mark on NBA history. Glen Rice and Alonzo Mourning had been franchise players for the Heat with varying level of success, never making the NBA Finals. Dwyane Wade became a star on a level the Heat hadn’t seen and led them to unforeseen heights during his time in South Beach. He has earned 12 of the 33 total All-Star selections in Heat history and is the best player in franchise history.

Dwyane Wade is the Miami Heat’s all-time record holder in; deep breathe here—games, minutes, field goals, free throws, assists, steals, and points. He is also the Heat record holder in offensive and defensive win shares, which means that he has had a greater impact on either end of the court than any player in Heat history. It’s natural for the player who has seen more court time than any other player in franchise history to accumulate a certain amount of franchise records, but Dwyane Wade is all over the Heat record books. When a certain player owns nearly every relevant team record, their greatness in franchise history should not be doubted.