"Mr. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr., if he's not legitimately considered for an MVP candidate, I don't know what he needs to do,"
-Heat coach Erik Spoelstra
"I don't know what the [MVP] voters want. But whatever they're looking for, I'm pretty sure D-Wade has it."
- King James
It's clear Wade is having his best season. It's clear he could end up having the best regular season of anyone in the league. Given his personality and the nature of his game, do you believe he could viewed as a better player than LeBron when it's all said and done?
I would argue that, right now, a healthy D-Wade is a better all around player than King James. He's also a guy that most guys in the league would want to play with. He's a superstar who's not a narcisist. He's already carried a team all the way to the mountaintop. Plus, he's got a chip on his shoulder from being in first Shaq's, now Bron-Bron's, shadow.
People keep talking about what LeBron can do once he learns how to do x and y. Simultaneously, D-Wade has the most polished offensive game of anyone in the league other than Kobe. If LeBron ever masters a mid-range game and tightens up his long-range shooting, he will only have caught up to D-Wade. Wade can finish in traffic; absorb contact and make shots. He can be counted on in the clutch. Wade is also more creative off the dribble. LeBron is Jim Brown. D-Wade is Walter Payton.
This is no dig at King James. I'm just saying, we may be severely underestimating Wade's potential to be the best player of his generation. It's this foregone conclusion that LeBron will win 5 rings and dominate the league. I'm not so sure. He could. But, if Miami got Boozer in the offseason (likely) and another couple pieces, they could easily become the team to beat in the East. Orlando's good, but Superman ain't got nothing on D-Wade. LeBron has more potential, but Wade is probably the better player right now. LeBron's still a work in development, while D-Wade's seems to be in his prime. And who's to say all LeBron's boundless potential ultimately gets fulfilled?
1 comment:
If Ed Stephanski is the man I hope he is, he's quietly laying down pieces of track on which he'll send Sammy out of town for an expiring contract. Let 'Dre walk this summer (or make a smart, cap-flexible sign-and-trade), and he'll have freed up $20M in salary.
D-Wade is going to run out of Miami like the city is on fire. Run, Dwayne! Run from the Heat! Stop, drop, roll...then run your ass to Philly!
-G
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