2 Time Champ & Former Finals MVP D-Wade |
We are used to seeing Dwyane Wade fly through the air with the greatest of ease. We are used to Dwyane Wade taking over games. Basically we are used to Dwyane Wade being great. Sad thing is reality is now setting in and that Dwyane Wade we once knew might be gone for good.
By Haz Bey |
LeBron James told reporters at his press conference after the Heat's win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals where LeBron had a monstrous 3rd quarter by outscoring the Pacers 16-13 by himself, that "I had to go back to my Cleveland days." James was referring to when he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and his supporting cast was not up to par, to say the least. For LeBron to have a mentality like that means there is something seriously wrong with Dwyane Wade. It is definitely physically, but it is affecting him mentally on the court. Dwyane has passed up shots that he would normally take, he looks guard-able and has lost his offensive aggressiveness. Defensively he is still playing at a high level, but his ailing knee might be the ultimate key factor that has allowed him to lose his confidence on the offensive side of the floor. Dwyane Wade is only averaging 13.9 points per game throughout the playoffs this season. A mere shadow of his former self.
Dwayne Wade is not healthy right now. He is not looking familiar. He will has to tough it out for one more series against the Spurs in the NBA Finals (I have written off the Pacers since Game 3). After that he can relax for a whole summer and get healthy again, hopefully. So I will stay optimistic that D-Wade can return to form, but my heart says the Dwyane Wade we used to know, is gone forever.