It’s not time for Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade to retire just yet.
It’s official: the Miami Heat have been eliminated from the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Falling short 104-91 in Game 5 of the first round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the team’s 2017-18 run has now come to an end.
Despite keeping up nicely during the first two quarters of play, even going into the half tied at 46 a piece, Miami once again fell apart in the third quarter. And unfortunately, were unable to save themselves in the fourth.
Heartbreaking to Heat Nation, certainly, but not quite the only thing on their minds Tuesday night.
Instead, many fans are worried that they may have witnessed Dwyane Wade’s last game.
Earlier this year, the superstar admitted he isn’t sure what his future holds. And while he did have a solid postseason campaign, averaging 16.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 25.4 minutes of play, time isn’t on his side; at the age of 36, one has to wonder just how much he has left in his tank.
Now it’s true that his return to the Heat was all any of us could ever ask for. Having spent a season with the Chicago Bulls and half a year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was clear the guard really only ever belonged in Miami.
And yet, it still doesn’t feel like it’s the right time for Wade to say goodbye. Not quite yet, anyway.
Here are five reasons why Dwyane Wade should stick it out with the Miami Heat, for at least another year.
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.
Father Prime
In a league dominated by 20-somethings, playing at the age of 36 can seem questionable.
But as the saying goes: age ain’t nothing but a number. A sentiment that so far has definitely held true for Wade.
Sure, his numbers may be at the lowest they’ve ever been, but they’re still respectable. Especially when his minutes played are taken into account. This season with the Heat specifically, the guard averaged 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists over 21 games, in 22.2 minutes off the bench. Numbers that increased during the playoffs.
He had strong regular games like scoring 27 points on 10-for-16 shooting in 25 minutes, ironically against the 76ers. And put up 28 points, going 11-of-16 from the field in 26 minutes in Game 2. In other words, Wade can still be crazy efficient.
Yes, even at the age of 36.
No one is expecting season-highs or consistent SportsCenter highlight reels from Wade anymore. But it’s clear that he can still be a major contributor to this team. And not just as a mentor off-the-court, either.
Between continuing to catch guys with his infamous pump-fake, smoothly collecting two with an underhanded layup or pulling up for quick mid-range jumper… Wade has an entire bag of tricks at his disposal.
So why hang it up just yet?
Even if Wade must cut back even more on his minutes, or he doesn’t even see time in every game, fans will cherish each moment they get to see him out there on the court. Rocking that beautiful No. 3, red, white and black jersey.
Keep on drinking from that fountain of youth, please.
One Full Year
Remember when Wade temporarily lost his skull, and decided that leaving South Florida for the likes of Chicago and Cleveland was a good idea?
Yeah, we like to pretend it never happened too.
But it did. And for a year and a half, Miami had to be without Wade. So while his return was a thing of beauty, it seems only fair that Heat fans get to enjoy a full season of Wade once more, before he officially hangs it up.
Now that’s not to say he didn’t carry our support with him, wherever he went. It’s safe to say the majority of Heat Nation kept up with his career, regardless of who he played for. Whether it was watching him record an impressive 26 points and 11 rebounds in Game 5 of the first-round against the Boston Celtics in 2017. Or chuckle at the easy 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting he gave the Bulls as a Cavalier. Fans never stopped being proud of their former hero.
However getting to enjoy his return for only 21 games isn’t right.
We want 82.
Even if a good deal of those include him never stepping foot on the court. Even if he’s in street clothes. Drinking Starbucks alongside Udonis Haslem.
Heat Nation isn’t done seeing Wade out there. Farewell tour or not, we want more.
Unfortunately, it might be a while till fans hear anything of No. 3’s future plans. With the team’s season just having come to a close, he’s going to take the next few months to think things over, and decide what’s best for him moving forward.
Next: Turning Up the Heat: A waste of Miami's Vintage Wade
But just about everyone wants Wade back with the Miami Heat next season.