Fansided

Dwyane Wade’s five greatest moments for the Miami Heat

By Roje Smith

May 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) gestures as he dribbles the ball up court against Toronto Raptors in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) gestures as he dribbles the ball up court against Toronto Raptors in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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DALLAS – JUNE 20: Series MVP Dwyane Wade #3 and Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Miami Heat celebrate together after the Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks in game six of the 2006 NBA Finals on June 20, 2006 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Heat won 95-92 and win the series 4-2. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS – JUNE 20: Series MVP Dwyane Wade #3 and Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Miami Heat celebrate together after the Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks in game six of the 2006 NBA Finals on June 20, 2006 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Heat won 95-92 and win the series 4-2. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

1. Miami’s first NBA championship

Before the “Big Three” formed in 2010, Miami had a “Big Two” in 2006. Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal were actually brought together in 2004 when the Los Angeles Lakers traded Shaq to the Heat. However, this dynamic duo didn’t really shine until the 2005-06 season.

During what would become a historic season for the franchise, Miami finished with a 52-30 record which clinched the Southeast division. It also made them the second seed in the Eastern Conference for the playoffs. None of their playoff matchups went more than six games as Shaq and Wade imposed their will on the competition. Although O’Neal had his dominant performances in the playoffs, Wade carried the offensive load. Particularly, this was on display during the finals against the Dallas Mavericks.

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After the Heat were dominated in the first two games against Dallas, Dwyane went on a Jordan-esque scoring binge. He averaged 39.3 points over the next four games in which Miami won all of them. As a result, he helped bring the state of Florida its first NBA championship. Wade was also named the MVP of the finals. He achieved things that many felt that LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, all member of the 2003 draft class, would accomplish before him.

The “Big Three” era was an historic moment in basketball and easily one of the best moments in Wade’s career. However, nothing beats the first championship that he won for himself and the city of Miami. It’s also the only time that he was named Finals MVP. To me, it makes it the greatest moment in his celebrated history with the Miami Heat.

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