I can’t believe we are at this point. I'm seriously feeling old right now! Remembering that draft night in 2003 where the Heat grabbed Dwyane Wade at #5. I didn’t know much about him other than he had just had an amazing NCAA tournament for Marquette. Shoot, none of us even knew how to spell his name right! Admit it, we all misspelled Dwyane more than once that first year. For me it was about 73X.
So, realizing that this weekend his jersey will go up to the rafters for as long as there is an arena in Miami is reflective, and as such, I've got my personal Top-5 Dwyane Wade Moments.
#5: His first Triple-Double
-I was watching this game with a friend who was a diehard Pistons fan, so it made his first ever Triple-Double worth so much more due to the increased level of trash talking I was able to do during the game.
#4: 2004 Playoff Buzzer Beater vs Hornets
-The great thing about this shot, it was the first playoff series for him (and the Heat after a little while) and the driving layup, became so synonymous with his game, it was like a precursor. Like, hey Miami, get used to seeing this move A LOT!
#3: Wade the GM
-We can all give Sir Pat Riley (yes, I've Knighted him) his due on bringing the Big 3 together, but we all know, if not for the groundwork Wade put in on his own during the year plus leading up to that free agency period, it would not have happened.
#2: 2010 All-Star Game MVP
-Dude went out there determined to own the night and he did. That in itself shows you how special he was. His mindset, even when surrounded by bigger stars, was to dominate. It's why he's a Champion.
#1: 2006 NBA Finals MVP
-I mean, there's no debate here. He was otherworldly that series. The constant visual of him driving the lane and getting hammered but getting the plus-1, dude was a warrior. He averaged almost 35 ppg for the series, and remember, the Heat were down 0-2. He had 2 40+ point games. That's when Dade County officially became Wade County.
Dwyane Wade, you gave us an amazing ride and I for one thank you for all the pleasure watching you gave me. I'm even more thrilled that during your second act off the court, you're going to make an even bigger impact and I'll still be just as big a fan!
Here's the schedule of events for the weekend:
FRIDAY
THE FLASHBACK
8:00PM | AAA
A live retrospective on his career. Will broadcast live on Fox Sports Sun.
SATURDAY
JERSEY RETIREMENT CEREMONY / HEAT VS CAVALIERS
8:00PM | AAA
The raising of Dwyane's no. 3 jersey to the rafters during halftime.
SUNDAY
D. WADE: LIFE UNEXPECTED SCREENING
3:30PM | AAA
An early access screening of ESPN Films' definitive Dwyane Wade documentary, which chronicles his life on and off the court with never-before-seen footage. This event is open to the general public.