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Miami Heat 1-on-1: All eyes are on Dwyane Wade this year

By Allana Tachauer

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: Referee official Eric Dalen speaks with Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 10, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: Referee official Eric Dalen speaks with Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 10, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 10: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat laughs during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 10: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat laughs during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

So who from this roster do you think is benefitting the most from having Wade around for one final year?

Tachauer: Although I think all the younger guys are soaking up everything Wade is throwing at them like a sponge, I think Justise Winslow is gaining the most from having the veteran around for one last season. Their bond has been clear from the start, with Wade very much taking on a mentorship role with Winslow, and it’s only grown stronger over the years too. Lately, Winslow has showcased a newfound sense of self-confidence, and I’m willing to bet a lot of that has to do with the fact that No. 3 steady keeps the faith for him. The good news is that the team’s 2018-19 campaign is still quite young, so there’s plenty of time left for Winslow to keep learning from his teacher too. If anyone can help the 22-year-old reach his potential, it’s Wade… no doubt about it.

Johnson: I think the answer to this has to be Bam Adebayo for sure. In the same way that Hassan Whiteside benefitted from learning under Wade years ago, seeing Adebayo come into his own as a center lately, with Wade delivering him passes, is great. Sometimes a young player just needs the right veteran voice to help him get to the next level, which is exactly what Wade is trying to do with the entirety of the 2018-19 roster. We’ve already seen the influence Wade had on Josh Richardson and Winslow too, and now it looks like Adebayo is up next. Better yet, the big man definitely seems up for the challenge, which of course makes Wade’s job that much easier.

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