The Miami Heat played the Charlotte Hornets last Wednesday night, and although in the end Charlotte came out on top 96-89, another statistic made headlines; during the matchup, Dwyane Wade reached 700 career blocked shots.
700 blocks in 11 years is no small feat for anyone, but especially so for a player who is listed as 6-foot-4. Currently, Wade is the shortest player to have so many blocks.
Although most comfortable as a guard (often rotating between point guard and shooting guard over the years), lately Wade has found himself at the small forward position. While on the court with the likes of teammates Mario Chalmers and Shabazz Napier, Wade is forced to play bigger.
"“Obviously times have changed. So it’s not as big of a deal as it probably used to be,” Wade told the Sun Sentinel. “But, at the end of the day, whoever is on the court, whoever you have to guard, whoever is defending, you’re just trying to figure out a way to be successful.”"
And successful he has been. In terms of guards, the only players with over 700 blocked shots to their names are Michael Jordan, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Ron Harper and Clyde Drexler. They rank in at 893, 807, 744, 729 and 719, respectively.
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Obviously Wade still feels the most at-home while performing as a guard, but there is certainly something to be said about his versatility. Not to mention having a secret weapon of sorts comes in handy when the opposition may think they are in the clear offensively. It is rare to see a player putting up a shot second-guess himself because a guard is hovering nearby.
"“When people ask me about having a lot of blocks or having blocks, period,” Wade said, “I tell ’em, ‘One, it’s about timing. Two, obviously have to have some athleticism. Having big hands help. But three is you’ve got to be fearless, as well.’ When you go against the fives and those types of guys, that’s when the fearlessness comes in. When they’re attacking the rim, when they’re going up to dunk, you try to jump, you try to time it. And that’s when you’ve got to be fearless. Out of all my individual numbers, that’s the one I’m most proud of, is to have more blocks of any guys in my height area. I am proud of that.”"
It goes without saying that Heat Nation is proud of him too. And though this accomplishment would have been welcomed and praised at any time, it is that much more special given the doubt most Heat players have endured since they failed to three-peat during last season’s championship. Yes, Miami may not be the team it was only a couple of years back, but it is still one filled with raw talent, and athletes to look up to.
700 blocks and counting for Wade, many more achievements coming for the rest of the Heat squad.