In my life there are two athletes that I have followed and rooted for passionately, They are the only two rookie/player cards that I ever sought to buy as an adult and the men that I will one day boast about to my children.
That’s the manner in which sports history is passed.
It’s not just through ESPN Classic programming or documentaries but rather through the passion, and memories ingrained from one family member onto another.
Based on your geographic location you have different idols and role models. You know that player whose jersey you had to have. The one you’d love to get an autograph or picture with.
He may not have won a title or retired years ago but you still feel he was the best.
Growing up in South Florida Dwyane Wade and Dan Marino were those two athletes for me.
Still despite my personal preference for Wade as a fan of his there is no way after a full season that I would ever put him above LeBron James.
Wade is the closest thing to Michael Jordan, since his “Airness” retired.
Mind you Laker fans I’m not saying Wade is the best player or most accomplished since M.J., but he resembles his game and progression the most of anyone.
He had a distinguished college career highlighted by a memorable run to the Final Four. They weren’t teenagers entering the league. They didn’t benefit statistically by 3-4 extra years of on the job training.
Everyone wanted to be like Mike but growing up in Chicago, Wade more than LeBron really modeled his game after Jordan. You see that every time he steps out on the court. The manner in which both attacked the rim constantly their first few seasons, then started to develop the mid and long range jump shots capable of making them impossible to stop.
They established themselves in the city that drafted them and led them to the very top, while shouldering the load. No one ever disputed if it was their team.
Heck Jordan even tabbed Wade to be the main pitch man for his brand.
All that said, James is better than Wade.
Not every night, not every game, not this past Sunday. But over the course of this season any semi intelligent Heat fan would attest to the same.
That’s exactly why they joined forces. It was no secret, they bluntly stated they didn’t want to have to be “The Man” every single time they stepped out on the floor. That doesn’t mean you’re still not a star because you don’t shine the brightest every night.
This is a team first state of mind that should be applauded but it’s not.
No athlete has ever been more unfairly judged and critiqued than LeBron.
You can’t compare James to Jordan because that’s just not him. James is much more Magic Johnson than Mike like. His play is predicated around helping his teammates every way possible. James doesn’t need to drop 40 to dominate a game. Which is not to say he hasn’t stepped up on his own as is.
Miami wouldn’t even be in the Finals if James hadn’t picked up Wade’s slack versus Chicago and led the way against Boston.
Wade is shining now, he’s got the flash and putting up the points, rebounds and assists. Even had everyone coming out and declaring this is still Wade’s team.
Why? Because he did the same thing James did the last two weeks?
Funny thing is James is viewed as having played bad but in reality he had a solid game. Meanwhile when Wade was off against Chicago he was awful. Disastrous to the tune of 9 turnovers in a game where he couldn’t even dribble the ball let alone make a play with it.
At no time has James played that bad in a game this post season. Yet still we have reporters asking if he’s shrinking from the spotlight or feels as though he can’t win.
But like James said during Game 3’s post game conference, “Um, I think that you’re concentrating on one side of the floor and all you’re looking at is the stat sheet,” And yesterday stated “I did win,” regarding the game itself. “That’s what it’s about.”
Funny how amidst all the clouds of doubt and skepticism James confidence in his game and sole focus on winning a title shines through like the summer sun.
LeBron has matured folks. He’s not the same mime photographer, base line dancer he was in Cleveland. Sure isn’t a guy that’s concerned about stats or public perception.
Still as a result of allowing others to shine on offense, James is seen as cowering from the moment and deferring to Wade.
James impacts the game in so many ways. Not to say Wade doesn’t but it’s different. Where as Wade is a gambler on defense, James is a shut down corner. You can leave him on an island and when he decides it’s time to lock down, well as Derrick Rose said it’s frustrating when a guy can stop you so easily.
James brings several talents and physical attributes to the table that Wade can’t.
Wade is a scorer as is James. Wade is a facilitator as is James. Wade gets big steals and blocks on defense as does James.
Now here’s the difference. Wade can’t guard all five positions. Wade can’t win a game on his own without putting up over 25 points. Meanwhile James has a 139-36 record when he gets just 17 and 9.
That stat more than any other should show that James has the ability to win without having to put up 30 or more. He doesn’t need to take 20 plus shots to get his numbers. He doesn’t need to be the leading scorer to have the greatest impact on the game.
Has anyone seen Jason Terry? There have been no signs of him ever since LeBron locked him down in the fourth quarter of Game 3 to the tune of zero points when Dirk Nowitzki needed some help the most.
Only LeBron knows what it is like to win and still get called out as a failure or letdown.
The ugly truth is that America and especially most of the media is still stuck in hate mode. They want to diminish his ring should he get it. Best way to do that is say he won it because of Wade. Well guess who was clinging to Superman’s cape just to get to this stage?
Wade may very well win Finals MVP and help James attain his first title, but guess who’s going to carry Dwyane to the next four or five rings?
James is 3 years younger than Wade. He hasn’t even entered his prime. Once Wade starts to show some wear and tear during the next few years it will be James that will be the unquestioned MVP.
This teams evolution and journey will be scrutinized at every turn, but when it reaches it’s final destination in half a decade or so we will all be witness to the greatness that is LeBron James. He will be the main reason Miami wins multiple titles and will be the unquestioned Batman to anyone else who wants to play Robin. Mind you this is all coming from a Dwyane Wade fan.