Bum knee to Legendary: Ranking all of Dwyane Wade’s NBA Finals performances
By Brennan Sims
4. 2012 vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Stats: 22.6 PPG, 43.5 FG%, 6.0 REB 5.2 AST, 1.4 STL, 1.2 BLK
This series featured several future and current Hall-of-Famers, including Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Chris Bosh and LeBron James.
With these stars on the court, Wade’s light was not dimmed. He averaged 22.3 points, six rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks. His lowest finals points average up to that stage of his career, this was the first season Wade relinquished being “The Guy” to LeBron. Wade was adapting to his new role throughout this season and began relying on skill more than his freakish athleticism. He was mastering his post-game, playing off-ball, and his mid-range.
Kevin Durant also has an elite mid-range game. He famously told D-Wade he was too small during these finals as he sunk a mid-range jumper over the six-foot-four Wade. The two all-timers cracked a smile as they ran back on defense but Wade got his against KD too.
Dwade working the Thunder in 2012 Finsls pic.twitter.com/OeuHDj5Jk3
— Brennan Sims (@SmokeSolezNBA) August 4, 2023
One could argue this is a better performance than Wade’s 2013 showing. Statistically, it is better, but the context of 2013 makes it sweeter. Speaking of…