Three reasons why Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade shouldn’t retire yet

Go Out On A High Note

After the type of career Wade has had, he deserves to go out on top.

Which wouldn’t exactly be the case if his last game played was an eliminating playoff loss, on the road. Even less so when you factor in that the veteran shot just 4-for-15 from the field, including going 0-for-2 from downtown.

It’s true that the Illinois-native played his first game in Philadelphia, which some may find poetic.

And yes, it can be argued that at least Wade was able to get one last playoff run in.

But he’s better than 11 points in a Game 5 defeat, with an arena full of booing fans. He deserves better than that, too.

Over 14 years in the league, Wade has averaged 22.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.6 steals. As a rookie, he averaged 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals. And during the 2008-09 season, he averaged a career-high 30.2 points per game, alongside 5.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and 2.2 steals.

He has three NBA championships (earning Finals MVP in 2006), is a twelve-time NBA All-Star (MVP in 2010) and was the NBA scoring champion in 2009.

A legacy like that deserves a fairytale ending. Not a first-round exit, cut short by a team that got the best of Wade’s offensive prowess. Nevermind that his last go should be in the AmericanAirlines Arena, surrounded by ride or die supporters that have been with him since he was drafted in 2003.

Seeing Wade in a NBA uniform for the last time in Philadelphia, while Kevin Hart taunts him from the stands? Hard pass.