Before teaming up in South Beach to headline one of the NBA’s best duos, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James consistently put on a show in head-to-head matchups.
Both players were selected in the lottery of the 2003 NBA Draft, so their talent would always be compared. After James spent four seasons with the Miami Heat from 2010-2014, the clashes were back on.
They’ve been friends, teammates, and opponents for years, with a bond sticking through the business of basketball. With a total of 31 games played against each other, this was a matchup that any fan had circled on their calendar every season. James continues to produce at a high level on the hardwood, but in the meantime, Wade’s been out of the league for a couple of years.
The three-time NBA Champion and 13-time All-Star is currently days away from his Hall of Fame enshrinement. A look back at the most memorable games between Wade and James highlights their thrilling battles through the years.
Nov. 12, 2009: LeBron and Wade at the top of the league
During Wade’s prime, MVP-caliber seasons, his friend LeBron James won both the 2009 and 2010 MVP awards. Every time the two stepped on the floor for a regular-season meeting, it felt like a game in June. A blockbuster.
One of those hard-fought contests was their matchup in November of 2009 when James and the Cavs trekked down to Miami to face the Heat. Most fans remember Wade’s classic poster dunk on Anderson Varejao. The baggy jerseys, headband LeBron, and fastbreak Wade were on full display in this one. Wade’s stuff on Verajao may have been the play that was constantly shown on ESPN, but James and the Cavs went back home with a 111-104 victory.
This was a peak showing of talent and athleticism. Both players were at the top of their game, just before they joined forces in Miami. It was a preview of what was in store for Heat fans and the NBA landscape.
Remembering Dwyane Wade’s career through his stat-stuffingest games
Among all the great Dwyane Wade games, several stand out and illustrate his all-around brilliance, beyond just the scoring. Let’s take a look.