Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade: Then, now and what’s to come

Then

Part of one of the most top-heavy NBA drafts of all time, Wade joined the Miami Heat as the fifth selection in the 2003 draft. At the time, USA Today projected the third-year guard out of Marquette, to top out around the seventh pick – not far off from where he landed.

Still, the doubt around Wade’s game was apparent. Despite an All-American season, Wade’s size, or lack thereof, was a hindrance to his presumed potential. At six-foot-four he had frame of a point guard but the skill set of a slashing forward.

Undisputed however, was Wade’s undeniable athletic gift, which gave solace to his shortcomings.

That gift, which saw him blow past defender after defender, is best represented by Wade’s rookie year shot chart; of his 926 field goals attempted through the regular season and playoffs, only 61 came from downtown.

Such was the way of Wade at the start of his career. In his first five seasons, Wade never launched more than 80 3’s in the regular season.

Regardless of his shooting from deep, Wade quickly inherited the role of top-dog in Miami. After leading Miami to its first championship in 2006, he remained with the organization, building his reputation on and off the hardwood.

From his rookie shoe deal with Converse to having the league ban his personalized band-aids, Wade’s stardom grew exponentially. By his seventh season, Wade had garnered endorsements from T-Mobile, switched to Jordan Brand and even convinced a pair of All-Star friends in Chris Bosh and LeBron James to join him in Miami.

For the first time in 2010, Wade was no longer the sole face of the Heat organization. Sharing the workload made his raw averages decrease, but didn’t impede his giving nature. Regular reports of his charitable deeds, like donating funds and iPads to the Cabrini-Green reading room in Chicago, continued the alturistic presence that preceded him.

No recollection of Wade’s career is complete however, without acknowledging his departure in 2016. After a pair of championships and the end of a contract, Wade left to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls.

But when you are as inexorably linked to the city of Miami has Wade is, hatred around his departure is the last conceivable emotion.

Usually, the sports world sees billboards thanking players for their dedication and contributions to building a winning team. Or maybe, an un-affiliated city will try and entice a free agent akin to the current hubbub around James.

Bucking the trend however, Wade posted his own billboard, thanking Miami for 13 seasons and its hospitality.

Though a season and a half would pass before “Wade” would appear on the back of a Heat Jersey, the message was clear: Miami would always be Wade’s home.