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Miami was slated to play the Milwaukee Bucks on February 9, 2018. A matchup between Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls, the Heat strode into the evening armed with its greatest basketball weapon.
Marking the first game after reacquiring him through a last-minute, trade deadline deal, Wade played a modest 22 minutes in his casting call. He came off the bench and only scored three points, but the AmericanAirlines Arena was overjoyed – after 574 days, the patron saint of Miami basketball returned.
Reintegrating into Miami’s system has been largely successful. Though Wade’s ball dominance is a shift for a Miami team often touted as lacking a superstar, he’s familiar with the majority of the Heat’s youth.
Even at 36-years-old, the respect Wade’s game yields from defenders is a boon to Miami’s young core. Justise Winslow has flourished. Hassan Whiteside was ecstatic, and his impact has been felt team wide. Prior to Wade’s return Miami was 24th in offensive rating. The Heat jumped to 11th since.
With a playoff spot all but knotted up – the Heat currently sit 6.5 games ahead of the ninth place Detroit Pistons– a hamstring injury has seen Wade sidelined for over a week.
"“I feel alright. I tweaked my hamstring a little bit, I guess,” Wade said in a postgame interview earlier this month. “Just see how I feel tomorrow and then we’ll go from there on treatment.”"
Head coach Erik Spoelstra assured the organization isn’t being overly cautious with his injury, but Wade’s absence is apparent. Of Miami’s rotation, Wade is the clear leader in playoff minutes. His experience, from game winning shots to controlling the tempo in clutch situations, is key for Miami’s short-term future.