1. “The Heat might be good this year, if Dwyane Wade doesn’t miss too many games.”
Oct 13, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) before the game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Look, at 33, the veteran guard has logged 781 regular season NBA games over 12 years. Combine that number with practices, as well as the pre and post season, and well…it is easy to see why at times, his body fails him. You try being a professional athlete.
But with that said, Miami’s success does not even depend on Wade and Wade alone.
In 2010, when LeBron James and Chris Bosh came aboard to form the infamous Big Three, Wade played (and started) in 76 games. The most he had participated in prior were 79 (2008) and 77 (2004 and 2009), and still the Heat were unable to win a championship.
On the other hand, Wade only played in 49 games in 2011, and Miami ended up with their first ring since 2006.
Obviously injuries are bad for any team, period. And last year’s downfall was certainly just that: an abundance of never-ending health issues. But how many games Wade ends up missing this time around will not determine the outcome of the entire season. So how about we find a new prediction catch-phrase, yeah?
Next: Homeward Bound