Fansided

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

By Connor Learn

Dec 10, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade (3) takes a shot against Indiana Pacers guard Orlando Johnson (11) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 90-84. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade (3) takes a shot against Indiana Pacers guard Orlando Johnson (11) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 90-84. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 10: Kobe Bryant
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 10: Kobe Bryant /

2. He is one of the NBA’s best shooting guards ever

Dwyane Wade is in the dawn of his career. But now that Wade is past his peak, we can really look at how he stacks up against other shooting guards. Nobody really stacks up to Michael Jordan, but Dwyane Wade belongs in a class just below him for shooting guards. Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, Ray Allen, Clyde Drexler, Reggie Miller, and Dwyane Wade are all likely ranked in some order. Where Wade lies on that list is a matter of preference, but he has a case to be high on it.

Few shooting guards in league history have had the impact of Dwyane Wade.  He has career averages of 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. Those numbers would be higher if not for taking fewer minutes in recent years to help extend his career. Wade’s career 24.64 Player Efficiency Rating ranks him tenth all time and second among shooting guards. He has also been an underrated defender over the course of his career. Dwyane Wade ranks first in league history in blocks for players under 6-foot-4 and has three All-Defensive team selections.

Dwyane Wade used his successful slashing play helped accelerate the change in the NBA into a more perimeter oriented league during the mid-2000’s. He used his quickness and the euro step to get to the rim at will like nobody before him. His 2006 NBA Finals performance is arguably the greatest Michael Jordan impression since his Airness retired. As he has aged, he has provided a template for how guards can lose some of their explosiveness and still be effective. Though he’s still writing the last couple chapters of his career, we know what class Dwyane Wade belong in.

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