How would you describe the career of Dwyane Wade to somebody who didn’t get a chance to see him play?
Do young fans associate the Miami Heat legend as an analyst for TNT? Do they remember him as the guy who infamously gave a “9” for Aaron Gordon in the Slam Dunk contest last season? Do they think of him for his numerous activism and social efforts? Or is he merely that dude with the iconic image of a pass to LeBron James with his arms wide open in the foreground?
Wade retired from the game back in 2019 and it has been almost two decades since he first entered the league. It’s high time to reminisce about the man who was known as The Flash.
To commemorate his retirement anniversary, here are three games to remember his greatness in Miami.
March 9, 2009
There are a lot of memorable Dwyane Wade games to choose from. He had that Game 4 showing in the 2013 Finals amid knee problems during the regular season and playoffs. We can go over his career-best 55-point game against the New York Knicks. Even his final game deserves some flowers after he dropped a triple-double as an exit performance.
But let’s first look back to his phenomenal game against the Chicago Bulls back on March 9, 2009. Wade’s numbers spoke for themselves in this one: 48 points, 12 dimes, six boards, four steals, and three blocks in a 130-127 double overtime win. However, he saved his best moment for last. It was surreal to watch then, and it’s still amazing to watch now.
The game was tied 127-127 with five seconds left. Wade stripped the ball from a driving John Salmons and raced down to the other end of the court. After getting past the halfcourt line, Wade heroically launched and hit a running 3-pointer off of one leg as the buzzer sounded. He then climbed on the scorer’s table and shouted “This is my house!” in front of the adoring Heat fans. It was a signature moment for Wade.
Playoffs debut in 2004
The name Dwyane Wade launched into the NBA lexicon after the 22-year-old rookie had a memorable playoffs debut in 2004.
Everyone knew he was good with a healthy stat line of 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists as a rookie. But they didn’t realize that he was that good and that fearless.
With Game 1 of the first round versus the New Orleans Hornets tied at 79-apiece with 10 seconds left, the Heat went with a rookie to decide their fate. Wade sized up Baron Davis at the top of the key before making his move with five seconds remaining. He used a quick first step to go right, then went between-the-legs to his left, unleashed a burst of speed to get into the paint, before finally making a jump stop and a floater. Game. Heat win.
Wade ended up with a game-high 21 points, as well as five rebounds and five assists in his very first postseason game.
2006 Finals Game 3
Wade transformed himself into one of the all-time great performers in NBA Finals history in 2006 when he willed the Heat back to life from a 0-2 deficit against the Dallas Mavericks. It was his first appearance on the big stage and he was just 24-years-old (!) at the time. The young gun didn’t wilt under pressure but embraced it. He pushed a Heat squad that featured a near-past-his-prime Shaquille O’Neal over the edge versus a Mavericks team that won 60 games in the regular season.
The Mavericks took the first two games of the series, but it all clicked for Wade and the Heat in Game 3. After Wade had a quiet Game 2 of 23 points on 6-for-19 shooting, he laid everything on the line in the must-win game by dropping 42 points and 13 rebounds.
It wasn’t just the amount of points for Wade as it was in the manner of how he got his 42. The Heat were down by 13 in the pivotal fourth quarter and looked dead in the water, but Wade went on to score 12 points (15 for the period) in the final seven minutes to turn the tide. His offensive display during that stretch offered a glimpse of his legendary career. He was powerful. He was agile. He was damn near impossible to defend.
On this date in 2006, @DwyaneWade went off for 42 points in game 3 of the NBA Finals.
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) June 13, 2020
After being down 0-2, the Heat won 4 straight to win the title. 🏆
pic.twitter.com/tnOTfMlf0t
Young D-Wade put up 34.7 points on 46.8 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 steals in the series. This Finals run included a 43-point Game 5 where he went 21-for-25 from the free throw line and a 36-point piece in the title-clinching Game 6.
