3. Dwyane Wade
Over the past few months, we’ve been running down the 50 guys that we think are the 50 best players, right here, right now. With the season starting, the list is almost complete. Today, the floor takes a look at Dwyane Wade.
With summer dragging on and on and on before the NBA tips off, we’ve decided to initiate a multipart series that will be the definitive look at the best players in the NBA today.
Over lunch at the Outback Steakhouse (word to Steve Irwin), your crack SLAMonline.com staff sat down and ranked the 50 best players in the NBA today. We realize that’s kind of ambiguous, but that’s how basketball is and that’s how we like it. Basically, though, we tried to list the 50 guys we think have the most value to their teams, right now, at this moment. This doesn’t mean they’ll never be traded, and it doesn’t mean they’re due tremendous contract extensions, but it does mean — since value is king in the NBA — that over the next month or so we’ll run down the 50 guys that we think are the 50 best players, right here, right now.
Before long it’ll be time for our annual NBA team previews. Right now it’s time for some law and order…
3. Dwyane Wade
By The Floor, as told to Jake Appleman
Not to sound clichéd, but when Applesauce told me he needed to interview me for the Slamonline top 50, I was like, “Write your own damn article! Quit stepping on me. I’m 94 by 50, this is going to be more scattered than Chucky Brown.”
And he was like, “Dude, I just don’t have the time. How can I find the right thing to say about a guy as revolutionary as D-Wade without going straight to the source? After all, I got this weekly Spanish league football/soccer column that 12 people are really into, and I got a busy weekend coming up.”
So feeling the friction—this is after all a normal occurrence for me; squeak, squeak and shit—I put up my final protest. I boricua-yelped like Gloria in White Men Can’t Jump and was like:
Why you think you can just walk all over me? You a hypocrite. I haven’t seen ya rusty ass in like 3 years; I haven’t given you burn in like 5 years. And you think you can just get my free opinion on one of my best friends, because you have a laptop, a deadline, and nothing to lose?
Anyway, I agreed. Because I love talking about Dwyane Wade. But I let him know that I’m sick and tired of people taking advantage of me without paying up. Converse used all that damn footage of me and Dwyane through the years for that “fall down 7 times, get up 8 times” campaign and I didn’t see any new shine! No polish, no new paint. Nothing! And then right after I called their reps, I got replaced by an ice rink for a week!
I told ‘em, too. I was like, “Go get Spike Lee and do a real commercial. Quit cutting highlights and making D-Wade money off of our relationship. Wood is bond, no unavoidable sexual innuendo intended.”
But you asked about our friendship and that’s what we’re here to talk about. For somebody that comes crashing to the ground so much, D-Wade has incredible balance, and I mean that in every way.
For starters, not only is he lightening with the ball, people forget that his mental acuity is right there with his flash. In the midst of all the late-game pandemonium, he’s savvy enough to recognize when to attack and when to involve his teammates. He knows that he can balance every fearless foray to the tin with a stepback J. He knows that for every time he risks his body while he’s young, the work he’s putting in on his 3-ball will balance that out and add some longevity to his already brilliant career.
He’s style and substance, smiles and smarts. For every wide “50 Most Beautiful people” grin, there’s an unparalleled knowledge of how to use the glass—I’d go as far as saying the window might know him even better than I do. For every highlight dunk, there’s this scientific, uncanny understanding of spacing; after he lulls you to sleep, he’ll always use his quickness to find the extra space on the floor to free himself for a jumper. For all the toothy, “aw shucks” innocence, there are hundreds of victims that suddenly realize that they just had their pockets picked.
He doesn’t have to blow directly by you, he can cross you up. He doesn’t have dodge you, he can go right at you. Balance, my friends. Balance.
And despite how much is made of our relationship when he comes crashing into me, few realize how often he eludes defenders and avoids the hits that would really hurt. His athleticism is that of an acrobat, and much of that has to do with this incredible sense of balance. He sees everything and he’s gifted enough to contort his body accordingly.
D-Wade isn’t just an island of solitary dominance that ISOS you to death when it really counts. He works with the system so that he can get the most out of the system and so the system can maximize his seemingly infinite abilities. He lets Shaq lead with his voice and he leads by example. Dwyane Wade is the air that counterbalances the carbon monoxide emitted from other Heated egos.
Most of all, he knows that his hard work will be rewarded. Did it ever strike you as odd that the guy that spent the most time crashing to the ground is also the one that appears on the Cover of GQ with his shirt off? That’s not a coincidence.
Along those same eerie lines, he knew that if he spent enough time hustling, I’d help to get him the call that would change the series. It’s not all about the officials, the superstar treatment and the Sternbot. There’s some karma there, too.
All of this flattery and he still flys under the radar in the LeBron/Kobe debate. We revel in Bron’s hype, we ponder Kobe’s enigmatic ways, and because Dwayne Wade is too good to be true, many of us outside Miami are numb to him.
I’m gushing, maybe you can tell. But after all, I’ve looked up to D-Wade for a while now. Ya’ll will continue to sleep on him (comparatively), but when June comes he’ll have the floor once again.
I mean, I’d say he’s the best player in the NBA, but what do I know, I’m only his pillow.
But who knows, you’re asking a floor to define a ceiling that doesn’t really exist yet.
133 Responses to “3. Dwyane Wade”
Nov.13 at 1:06 pm
rob says:
first!!!
Nov.13 at 1:07 pm
rob says:
damn respect to flash with a big story! kobe is first i guess….
Nov.13 at 1:08 pm
rob says:
i greet my mom, pops, bro and girl
Nov.13 at 1:08 pm
Nads says:
Foods that start with the letter Q
Nov.13 at 1:12 pm
Max Airington says:
Great read.
Nov.13 at 1:17 pm
AJT says:
A lot of guys forget, that he led his team to the playoffs even without shaq! I agree with bron and kobe in front of wade. Personally I would take him over this two. He’s just a great person and an incredible BALLER!
Nov.13 at 1:18 pm
Weida (Singapore) says:
wow third! i’m wearin his jersey now
Nov.13 at 1:28 pm
Joumana says:
over rated.
Nov.13 at 1:29 pm
Joumana says:
inflated.
Nov.13 at 1:35 pm
LUIS says:
ha,ha,#2bron,#1kobe the best player in da nba and the world!
Nov.13 at 1:58 pm
my invisible siamese twin s an ass-hole says:
3rd for wade is good.. people say hes better than lebron.. bollocks.. ok, he has got a ‘chip but u think if shaq didnt play fo the heat wade woulda got the ‘chip? nope.. bron is a far better player, a better all round baller and is the best in the nba.. bron for no1
Nov.13 at 2:12 pm
Myung says:
Best write up yet. You’re gifted, Jake. As a writer…and for being able to understand the vernacular of floors.
Nov.13 at 2:16 pm
abelp says:
kobe gotta be number 1 recognize haters!!!!
Nov.13 at 2:23 pm
Aaron says:
I love Dwayne as a person and a player but I don’t know if he should be this high up. Something about his game just doesn’t seem to be there for me or maybe I’m just not appreciating him enough for what he does have. Regardless, I respect him as a human being and he is a truly selfless superstar. In a league full of egos, he’s a breath of fresh air.
Nov.13 at 2:23 pm
Max Airington says:
That floor is full of sh*t though. Who’s sleeping on Wade?
Nov.13 at 2:33 pm
Kevin says:
love the story from the floor… Lebron’s should be written by his 3 alter egos… Kobe’s should be written by Sammy the Bull….
Nov.13 at 2:48 pm
WorldBeFree ver. 2.0 says:
heh. brilliant. de-personalize the final three rankings. have them presented/written by inanimate objects that will weather the storm of contreversy that will no doubt follow who’s at the top of this heap. lemme guess what follows: Mr. Floor/D.Wade…Mr. Air/LaBronze (anointing the next Great One to follow his Airness)…and Mr. Magical Forgive and Forget Bling on Vanessa’s Finger/Kobe. SLAM!!!
Nov.13 at 2:48 pm
karl says:
dwade should be higher than kobe, hes younger, has a smaller contract and is just about as good as kobe but hes on a much better team, maybe slam puts kobe #2 over wade cuz hes got less help and is more of a focal point for the lakers than dwyane is for miami, but kobes got a bum knee 4 now which should lower is value so i still dont agree, no way in hell kobes over lebron, not hatin on kobe but lebron is king
Nov.13 at 2:50 pm
Elvis says:
D wade is a great baller. He gave a title to payton, mourning, and walker cuz he carried that team no doubt…..Kobe for # 1
Nov.13 at 2:56 pm
Hype says:
Hey Floor! Watch yo mouf, the ICE RINK can be cooold blooded homie! (I don’t know what I said either..)
Hilarious writeup yet very to the point. Loved it, Jake, you rock.
Nov.13 at 2:57 pm
matt the jazz fan says:
i think this piece should have been penned collectively by the finals’ refs’ whistles…
Nov.13 at 3:03 pm
Max Airington says:
I think theyve said enough.
Nov.13 at 3:09 pm
ange_t says:
i lvoe dwayne, i love him. and i totally agree with this, in every way !!
Nov.13 at 3:10 pm
Shiz says:
D-Boogie is a phenom. good spot for him. I knew he was gonna be a problem at Marquette. I was just worried he’d have problems adjusting to the height difference. College 2guards can get away with being 6′3″, 6′4″..Then I saw him cram it from a standstill and immediately threw that rule out. He’s a good penetrator (even if he does palm and carry every dribble) and outstanding finisher. One thing he has over LeBronze right now is being clutch…clutch steal, clutch layup, clutch freethrow (even though he freely admits to being a lil nervous), clutch jumper… Not as good as Kobe, just from an experience standpoint. But they have virtually the same game. They both like those elbow jumpers and love driving baseline for some crazy up-and-under. He even jabsteps like Kob. Not saying he’s trying to be like him, but he’s smart enough to swaggerjack the ish that works from other great players (a post move here, a rip-through there)…just like Kob did back when he was still learning his game. My only problem with D-boog is that he gets away with murder. If I see this guy shift pivot feet one more time with no call, Im gonna have a problem. The refs are just now starting to call his “slooooow, loping dribble that takes three steps to complete” as a travel, but he’s been doin that one since rookie year. Don’t believe? Watch him catch and go off a curl and count how many bounces he gives the ball per step. ITs like the Return of the Ewing bunny hop…only smoothed out chi-town style. Has stolen pretty much all the shine melo got and that sucks because somehow, Melo is being turned into a malcontent, slowly but surely. Nevertheless, I have no problem with him here. He got a chip in his 3rd year. That aint just shaq, and it definitely aint no coincidence. And I been thinkin long and hard about Kob vs. LeBronze…Its kinda toss up in my opinion. Physically, LeBronze is a frickin mutant…He just skips like 6 evolutionary rungs…I need to see a birth certificate, but mentally, like Cassidy says “it dont get no better”. You need a team to build around, you could go with Kob or LeBronze. Like Mickey D’s vs. Burger King, but if its “clutch, last second lets win it now” shots, its Kob hands down. Maybe Kob should be number two just so I can use the line from 5 Deadly Venoms:
“Number 2 practiced the snake style…He was known as the snake’s spirit…he had the speed of a snake”…ill ass movie for a ill ass baalllller! by the way, did anyone see Cam and Dame on Bill O’Reilly actin childish as shit? Classic shit. Youtube it…
Nov.13 at 3:12 pm
Shiz says:
Matt the Jazz fan & Max: I second those comments…
Nov.13 at 3:16 pm
Shiz says:
Karl:
I’d be hesitant to say the Heat are that much better than the current Lakers…Just like the Kob/Shaq lakers, the heat are a mosh of has-beens and never-were’s who’s success usually relies on Wade/O’neal (usually in that order).. Especially this year, they’ve been playing like pure shit. Gettin aired by 30 points an whatnot…
Nov.13 at 4:04 pm
namik says:
I can gurantee that Kobe will be no. 2. Khalid and Sam cant fight the hate man. Anyway, great piece, great concept altho I disagree with someof what was written.
Nov.13 at 4:12 pm
Simmy Sosa says:
Joe Johnson for ASG 2007!!!
Nov.13 at 4:13 pm
rob stewart says:
The thing I remember most about Dwayne Wade is how he stepped up in the playoffs before he even had Shaq, when he was balling with L.O. and Skip. He was huge. I can’t remember a guy stepping up like that except Jordan. He definitley has wholes in his game and should not be #1 but there is no one in the league who’s game improves as much as Wade’s when the pressure is on in the playoffs. Lebron for #1. Whoever gets #1 will be on the next cover of SLAM! Count on it.
Nov.13 at 4:25 pm
rand33ep says:
…2. lebron 1. King Kobe… if kobe isnt number one this shit is wrong.not only is kobe the better offensive player (no argument there) but he is so much better on the defensive end that u cant even compare the two of them.
Nov.13 at 4:25 pm
ALX8725 says:
I admit… Dwyane Wade is BBBAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIINNNNNNNN but I still dont know about his placement on this list of value. Good person, talented player, David Stern definately shows his man-love for DWade by fixing the finals so that Wade could be the new face of the league. I wonder how long it’s gonna take him to get a 3pt shot down because once he does… all he has to do is throw his leg out while going up for the shot(like reggie miller) and the refs will give him the whistle every single time. Over/Under for 4-point plays?—-> Infinite once he gets his 3pt range going.
Nov.13 at 4:58 pm
JG says:
D-Wade should be #3, and anybody who disagrees is flat out stupid. I haven’t seen a more clutch performance in the playoffs than MJ’s Chi days. Wade KILLED the Mavs in the finals. Yeah, he got some calls his way, but you’re telling me MJ didn’t? Are you gunna take away from Jordan’s accomplishments ’cause he got some good whistles? I’m not comparing MJ to Wade, but he’s the closest thing I’ve seen, and that includes Kobe. I believe Lebron will wind up number 1, but the way this list has played out, I’m not gunna bet money on it.
Nov.13 at 4:59 pm
JG says:
I meant to say *since* MJ’s Chi days. Fuck me. Maybe I’m flat out stupid
Nov.13 at 5:02 pm
Max Airington says:
I cant wait for the big Kobe/LeBron fight tomorrow. You guys will probably have to shut your servers down.
Nov.13 at 5:19 pm
Shiz says:
JG: Don’t be so hard on yaself…AFter all its not like we can go back and edit our comments, right? I gotta disagree on the next to MJ clutchness though…but Im a Kob’ guy, so…I’m biased…
Nov.13 at 5:35 pm
Adam says:
If DWade is 3, then that means:
#2 - Kobe Bryant
#1 - LEBRON! I hope to that Kobe is #2.
Nov.13 at 5:37 pm
PMAC says:
D-W-Y-A-N-E!!!!!!!!!!!!!! W-A-D-E!!!!!
i’m glad to see this he should be at number 3 no disrespect to iverson or KG but when you think about how hard this kid worked and how fast he became an icon its a testiment to his faith and hard work and it doesn’t hurt to have the big fella!
Nov.13 at 5:46 pm
Emilio says:
BRON or KB24 ? i unno but whoever wins this battle ..well ima get there shoes lol IV L23’s or Kobe 1’s I unno slam ur making the deciding factor…
Nov.13 at 5:48 pm
shoez_crazy@hotmail.com says:
Kobe should be number one. But know SLAM they are gonna bitch out and but bron at number 1. Suprise me SLAM.
Nov.13 at 5:50 pm
Myung says:
You guys think you’re so smart. LeBron and Kobe at 1 and 2? How presumptuous. We all know SLAM’s going to pull a fast one and put Darius Miles and Dan Dickau at 1 and 2. Try finding THEIR signature shoes…
Nov.13 at 6:18 pm
chronically_ill says:
D-Wade is truly a unique player. it’s not just the fact that he’s balling as a 6′4 2 guard in the League. it’s the way he plays that astounds me. the way he keeps attacking the basket, the way he always seems to keep his composure. i love how he always stays low to the ground, always keeping his balance and then explodes to the hoop for an and-1. he reminds me of a knife, the way he slashes to the rim. the man is as sleek as a cat, the way he slithers to the basket. and i havent even mentioned that vicious reverse crossover he has that’s busted many an ankle. if it wasnt for Lebron, who is just a physical specimen (dude is built like a power forward), or Kob, D-Wade would probably be #1. maybe d-wade will rise once he masters the 3 pt shot.
Nov.13 at 6:18 pm
chronically_ill says:
BTW, Darko and Adam Morrison are sure living up to their Top 50 ranking, arent they?
Nov.13 at 6:34 pm
mavs-cavs fan says:
that speech was incredibly gay!!! ur makin him sound like a god r somethin he got u by a leash!!! comeon wade aint that good. the reason he wom da ring is cuz he was screwin the refs so they could give him calls that would benfit him!!
Nov.13 at 6:35 pm
mavs-cavs fan says:
i better see a way longer story for #2. King James and #1. Mr.81
Nov.13 at 6:59 pm
Chief says:
I have to say that i wish Kobe was behind DWade because he has beent eh face of a dying dynasty and fucked up when he had his chance to be the most valuble player. Remember Detroit people?
DWade had slowly elevated teh Heat in three years to the Championship.
Sure they made soem smart aquistions but the leader of the team has always been Wade. Poeple need to stop looking at Kobe for his skills, which i’ll admit are formidable but they don’t translate into Champions unless he has people who aren’t willing to be his Bitch.
Earl Boykins for #1!
Nov.13 at 7:18 pm
CASHVILLE says:
How can you fall down 7 times and get up eight? What’s all this talk about him getting spoon fed by D Stern. Don’t hate the player hate the refs. He damn near forces them to call something with the way he gets to the basket and draws contact. And 1! What’s so bad is he does all this stuff at 6′3″,6′4″. He plays like he’s 6′8″ and will dunk on your ass in a minute. I know ya’ll saw that put back last night at the end of the half. Despite his greatness there can only be one King and he better get his justice Wednesday or me and Jim Brown gon tear this MF up. Ha Ha. I’m a self proclaimed Kobe hater so kiss my ass with your tougue out if you got a problem with it. I’m true to the game so I more than respect his talent. It’s just hard to root for him for some reason. I’m out like my son in his car seat. Peace.
Nov.13 at 7:28 pm
Dblizzy! says:
Yeah I’m tired of Wade’s ass too. I can’t watch anything without seeing those totally uncreative(if thats a word)spike lee commercials, or him and chuck talking about there favorite 5. I think he’s a good player but i don’t think he’s as great as everyone says he is. like i’ve said before, and you guys slaughtered me for it, he’s overrated. LeBron is clearly a better player but even he doesn’t get as much love as Wade.But that’s neither here nor there.
I think Wade is just a marketers dream. He’s pretty much anti everything that the NBA athlete has become over the last few yrs. Yeah he’s black but he went to college, he has no piercings, no tats, no cornrows… or even the intimidating black man bald head. it’s easy to market him and make him the damn posterboy of the league.
Who knows if that has anything to do with him getting all the calls and what not, but with Stern forever trying to “improve” the “image” of the league, why not give him the special treatment…
Nov.13 at 7:32 pm
Frodo says:
Kobe second, due to his current injury.
KG should have been ranked higher!!!!!!!!1
Nov.13 at 7:45 pm
rand33p says:
2. Lebron 1.King Kobe… Kobe is the better offensive player (no argument) and on the defensive end u cant even compare the 2 cuz kobe is that much better………but knowing SLAM they’ll put LBJ number 1
Nov.13 at 7:58 pm
Simon... (1 of the 12) says:
Just thought I’d skip the comments (ill go back an read em later) because I just wanted to say congrats to Jake on a great piece.That’s one of the coolest things i’ve read for a long time. How do you like them Apples!
Nov.13 at 8:24 pm
Teddy-the-Bear says:
Yeah D Wade is crazy on the court. Great article. I’d still take Allen Iverson as number one on any team.
Nov.13 at 8:39 pm
Playa says:
After last night’s game, it’s looking more like DWade will have to single-handedly carry his team through the regular season
Nov.13 at 8:40 pm
Lindsey Hobson says:
jamaal magloir #2 and rafer alston #1… haha jk its not even a question whos going 1-2… 23 and 24
Nov.13 at 8:42 pm
bams says:
Kobe should be number 1! numero uno! #24 The greatest player alive today! ask Dirk, ask MJ, ask the intelligent ones! haha!
Nov.13 at 8:43 pm
MexXxican says:
thats about right… KB24 pwns all others!
Nov.13 at 8:53 pm
scott says:
Why should Kobe be number one? He quit on his team last year in the playoffs. LeBron James will be number one. James is younger and already better then Bryant. James will win the MVP this year and the Cavs will do better in the playoffs. I don’t hate Bryant but there are a handfull of players better. Bryant hasn’t looked quite right so far.
Nov.13 at 9:07 pm
Justin H says:
Shaq Anyone?? KOBE QUIT CHASIN THE WHITE GIRLS!!!!
Nov.13 at 9:41 pm
Dylan says:
There is no way Bron isn’t #1, because this list is partially potential, and he hasn’t even reached his ceiling yet.
Nov.13 at 9:46 pm
Drolfe says:
Great article. Great last line. Great position for Wade.
When i clicked on the link for this article i said to myself please dont mention the calls he got in last years finals. Seems like everything thats been said about him lately comes with that. The old ‘yeah hes great but superstar treatment bla bla bla’. I guess thats the nature of the human race to bring people down when they’re shining. Great to see nothing was mentioned here.
Nov.13 at 10:14 pm
Chief says:
yo does the TNT crew count as a team? Cause if they do who’s more valuble kenny Smith or Sir Charles?
any one have an opinion?
And the Flash has the sexiest shoes out there!
Nov.13 at 11:09 pm
fashiz says:
see you tomorrow, kobe
Nov.13 at 11:16 pm
Miggy says:
right now i’d pick him over kobe.
Nov.13 at 11:25 pm
cameron says:
it’s down to kobe and lebron
Nov.13 at 11:28 pm
fashiz says:
for tomorrow or #1? I have many reasons why lebron’s #1
Nov.13 at 11:30 pm
rand33ep says:
if kobe aint number one this is wack… not only is he better on the offensive end but on the defensive end him and lebron arent even comparable cuz kobe is that much better
Nov.13 at 11:37 pm
rand33ep says:
KOBE number one no doubt!
Nov.13 at 11:57 pm
Love & Basketball says:
Im sure Wade will take 3rd, he’s got a ring now. Im thinking Lebron is first. MC http://loveandbasketball2.blogspot.com
Nov.14 at 12:14 am
Maha10k says:
A lot of Wade haters with something to say. Watching him, in the NCAAs he was the best player in the Final Four but Melo won the National Title. His rookie year, Lebron wins the ROY but he lead his team to the second round. Second year with Shaq in MVP form he gets to ECF. Third year, he leads the team to the championship. He is a great player. A little bit of Jordan and Iverson in his game- fun to watch. With the classic playoff performances on his resume, DWade has style and substance. I think getting to at least the NBA’s final four is a prerequisite to be included in the “best player” talk, but those playoff runs are tough esp. on 1-man teams. Winning is the true measure, not highlights or stats. There are plenty of chuckers and fantasy stars on bad teams getting tons of minutes. Personally I think Kobe is 1 (he’s a b-ball clockwork orange), Wade 2 and LeBron is 3.
Nov.14 at 12:35 am
Vish says:
wade palms / carries the ball on every dribble, takes three steps for every layup and gets the calls from the refs…..hmm….he is very overated….i would definately put AI ahead of him .
bron is a freak and will be the best player in the years to come but right now there is no one who compares to Kobe. imagine being the focal point of every defense in the leage and still doing the things that he does..
Nov.14 at 1:36 am
Harpreet says:
dwayne is #3 #2 Lebron #1 kobe no doubt KB24 I BETTER DEN JORDAN. still dont belive me put it this way jordan NOW A KOBE WANNA BE. still argueing. 81?
Nov.14 at 1:40 am
fashiz says:
rand33ep, you know, that’s your opinion. But, think of this. Lebron came to cleveland and they nearly made the ECF. shaq left and kobe couldn’t even make the semis.
Nov.14 at 1:48 am
Ekam says:
I HAve his jersey signed but lebron and kb 24 is better BITCH muthuerfuken asswhole sun of a bitch slam dont fuk up the next cover ur pissing me off rite now and dont suck lebrons dick and go up his ass like u always do and put him first. AND KOBES number 1 bioch suk mi fuken dick
Nov.14 at 3:32 am
ziad says:
the league is changing, rapidly, that for me, an old fan of the nba, still find it strange that kobe is an 11 year vet.! regarding the flash, well i hope he wont burn off, cose i want to see the rivaly between the best teams and players in the east taking it to the next level, while they battle off with the west!
the heat - nets allready exist, and the heat are taking the best out the burning nets, the vince carter-kidd duo are good enough to beat any one in the league other than the heat, that is a shame, on the other hand, the cavs will start their own rivalry with the bulls, and the windy city shall see their home team burned by number 23, at the buzzer, to close a serie! then if it could happen, in the playoffs, a heat cavs matchup, wow, wade vs the king! it shall be the series to live for, and this shall go on far, thru at least 3 ,or more seasons, untill shaq is out of the league, then the heat shall start to rebuild! while the cavs,bulls and nets can go on further more,i don t want to diss any other team in the east, but for now, i don t see the pistons back anywhere, unless they find someone with heart as big ben, and the wizards are dangerous too, the magic could do something, the hawks i am loving them, ……………but in the end for this season at least, i hope that bulls,cavs,heat and nets shall be in the fianl four, and then let the fun begin!in case you are wondering what did happen to the sixers, well i hope they make it to the playoffs, trade iverson after the end of the season to the knicks, cose they love small guys, there he should start as power forward, with marbury francis, nate and Q as center……..no just kidding, i hope he can get traded to where he can win the ring,but for that to happen he needs to sacrifice his numbers, as tmac did.
Nov.14 at 3:59 am
Paolo says:
Right now, we have a lot of supernames. Superstuds. Lebron James. Carmelo Anthony. Yao Ming. Dwight Howard. Chis Paul. Chris Bosh. Amare stoudemire. Players that are supposed to be the foundation of the future of basketball. And we have all seen them. Everybody brings something different, something mind-boggling to the table. Lebron has been touted as the best of the best. His over-all dominance is unreal. He is bringing justice to wearing number 23. Not everybody deserves to wear that number, but he does. Carmelo Anthony is the supposed challenger. Made the play-offs every year. Butis really just a number-2 guy. Yao Ming is the best center in the league this side of Shaq’s age. He is good enough to relegate TMac to option B. Dwight Howard is set to be the best power forward in the game. He is relentless, he is powerful and he goes to church. When Steve Nash and Jason Kidd finally hung-up their gym shoes for mocassins, Chris Paul will hold the torch as the best pont guard in the game. he single-handedly made the Hornets respectable. Chris Bosh is lone glue that sticks a basketball court to the whole of Canada. Seeing him develop made me lose respect for the GM skills of Joe Dumars. Darko over Bosh? I believe that even if Big ben left, had they taken Bosh (that is under the assumption that they would pick a big man) instead of Darko, they will not be as bad. Big SHot, Rip, tayshaun, Bosh, Sheed with Dice coming off the bench. That is solid. Nazr? Jeez. Amare Stoudemire. Ah. he is a powerball. Remember that block of Tim Duncan’s dunk in tha playoffs? That is unbelievable. Nobody has done that to the Robot. But now, he ain’t got no knees so he’s still trying to regain lost ground. But his talent has ever been questioned. Now, seeing how these players were said to be the future. They will “win it all” before it’s all over. To be champions atleast once in their careers. There is a player in this list that has already won a supposedly elusive championship trophy. And he won it not because he rode the coattails a veteran superstar. in fact, he was named the Finals MVP. Sure, he played with big sequioa’s named Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning (who, with the deterioration brought about by age, injury and losing to Michael Jordan are just basically more talented versions of Jahidi White and Theo Ratliff, respectively) We all can rave about these guys that I have mentioned but there is simply no comparison. I’m sure some of them will win some time. But right now only one has ring on his finger that he didn’t buy. He is Dwyane Wade.
Nov.14 at 4:50 am
Darksaber says:
Thanks floor, so the hype has arrived. Dwyane is No.3. Pathetic. The most athletic, dominant 2 Guard in the world, and he’s going to be behind the mambiatch. Maybe we should get the colorado police corps to do the date rapist’s write up hmm? But i stray, back to Flash.
Three years in, amazing array of offensive moves combined with great ballhandling and the speed is a known factor. But the highlights: that dunk on Jermaine 3 playoffs ago, the block and fullcourt 3 against Amaré, the hang over Mcdyess and flip it in over my shoulder, whilst NOT looking last playoffs… Awe inspiring. And this summer, when Team USA needed energy? Wade brought it, every game. He murdered italy in the second half after being provoked, destroyed zee germans (although Demond Greene did swat his dunk attempt - respect) and was highly active against the greeks in the semis. Long story short, i see him as the all around package in the NBA of today. (and he doesn’t chew on his nails like a ninny)
Nov.14 at 6:20 am
ziad says:
what ever the fuck you say darksaber!wade? all around packge??man! u liked the way he played for team usa? yeah right! word, wade would never had his ring unless shaq was with him! peace!now lebron will win his by himself! without needing shaq……………ok! that is the truth nega!
Nov.14 at 6:32 am
Darksaber says:
Entitled to your own opinion ziad. I’ll save my arguing for people with rational facts, instead of those (like you) sipping the haterade. Thanks for reading the comment though, appreciated.
Nov.14 at 8:25 am
Jsizzle says:
i’m just chucking this out there but does anybody think that the reason why the ball was changed was to stop kobe from dominating this year the way he did on the scoresheet last season, when i put 1 & 1 together i realise Mr. Stern wouldn’t be to happy having a Rapist for MVP, don’t get me wrong i got some much respect for kobe the way he’s so lethal from anywhere on the court and i aint trying to say that he did or didn’t do it, but whether or not he did by making him the poster boy for the NBA they’re really just pissing on there own flag. much love to KOBE fuck history live in the NOW!!
Nov.14 at 10:29 am
Shiz says:
I cant wait for the Kobe selection so I can lambaste all the “rapist but I respect him” comments…fools…
Nov.14 at 10:45 am
scott says:
shiz I know you think kobe should have the top spot…respect your opinion why not james?
Nov.14 at 11:00 am
Portland Dankblazers Carlos says:
all those yao haters must be biting their tongues now
Nov.14 at 11:02 am
Portland Dankblazers Carlos says:
im sick of people playing down Lebron’s supporting cast…its not bad at all Z, Larry Hughes(whos stepping up, GOoden(who i dislike but is great on the boards), Verajao (excellent energy guy), Marshall (3 pt threat and playing in the post again) point is at this point its a toss up between wade and lebron to who has the better supporting cast. Shaq at 50% is not going to cut it….and thats not a slight to shaq if anything its a compliment cause peeps saying he’s at 80% forgot how good shaq was in his prime
Nov.14 at 11:03 am
Portland Dankblazers Carlos says:
wow i like how the banner ads on the right hand side are the lebrons ad and the kobe mamba slam cover….interesting
Nov.14 at 11:04 am
Portland Dankblazers Carlos says:
one more thing, those wade commercials are nothing special did they really need spike lee to do them, i swear a bllion people could have come up with that shit
Nov.14 at 11:06 am
scott says:
my top 15 looks better all the time
15)Paul Pierce
14)Chris Paul
13)Carmelo Anthony
12)Tracy McGrady
11)Dwight Howard
10)Vince Carter
9)Elton Brand
8)Gilbert Arenas
7)Kobe Bryant
6)Yao Ming
5)Steve Nash
4)Dirk Nowitzki
3)Tim Duncan
2)Dwyane Wade
1)LeBron James
Nov.14 at 11:40 am
Dirk_Fan!!! says:
Darksaber talking about haterade but calling Kobe mambiatch all the time. Ain’t there something wrong???;-)
Nov.14 at 12:13 pm
A-Wilson says:
Someone is missing from this top 50. Lamar Odom. Bargnani?? No way does he deserve a top 50 spot. Jason Kidd and Mike Bibby deserve a higher spot than Ginobili. Lamar Odom is worthy, i don’t care if his production was down last year, Kobe forgot that Lamar was on his team. Give the man some love sometime.
Nov.14 at 12:28 pm
Darksaber says:
naah, not really. Like any human, i can decide whom i resent or not. And Mambiatch isn’t on my rolodeck for Christmas cards, that’s all.
Nov.14 at 12:42 pm
Maurice says:
This is the spot I had in mind for D Wade
Nov.14 at 12:55 pm
CASHVILLE says:
The rape case is touchy feely with the racial and ethical undertones so I won’t even go there with the Kobe debate. That’s an issue he and the creator will have to deal with. He just seems like the shittiest teammate ever from the outside looking in. They should change his name from black mamba to black hole. Where did the ball go? Now how valuable can that be? The King will get you the same ppg with more assist and none of his teammates will want to beat his ass after the game. He’s passing now because of that bum Knee but we’ll see when he gets healthy. This was actually my Kobe post for today when he is # 2 so I guess I’ll just copy and paste it. See you guys in a few hours!!
Nov.14 at 5:28 pm
Will says:
Dwyane Wade + Refs = Number three.
that first steps is amazing, the bank shots are amazing, the hops are amazing.
The extra steps are annoying, the free throws are annoying, the streaky shows are annoying. Man I love DWade’s game, but it is annoying to see the ref handed him the silver platter and send him to the line everytime he’s looking at the rim.
Nov.14 at 8:42 pm
Vince Fan says:
boo 10 not 3
Nov.15 at 3:08 am
Maha10k says:
The gripes many people have about Wade’s free throw numbers are lame. Guys who attack the rim get calls. Looking at the early stats, the Chosen One goes to the line more than anyone in the L right now. As for The Finals the refs didn’t give the Heat/Wade anything. It’s asinine to complain about foul calls when fouling Shaq was a major part of Dallas’ defensive strategy. Dallas spent more time whining then winning basketball games. The opportunity was there are Wade snatched it. That killer instinct makes him special. Kobe has it. Lebron is right there but I want to see what he does deeper in the playoffs.
Nov.15 at 4:20 am
ziad says:
fact number one, kobe is the best right now, neither me or any one can take that away from him! we are talking right here right now! know that i am a huge vince carter fan, and i know he aint at the same level with kb24! no one is! the level he is in is amazing!
fact number 2, lebron is the lord of the rims, in order for him to be numbre one is for him to get his rings, and a couple of scoring titles, a couple of mvps, then he shall be the lord of the ringssss! man! he is the up and coming new shit! but not yet!
fact number 3,about the true manbitch,or mamaba or whatever you call kobe he is not, the true one is wade! when shaq was still in lala land, i loved the kidd more, now he is just taking advantage of what he has as respect from the refs and from the comish, he shall fade, later on, once injury plag him, you shall see…..and dark saber, all respect man, we respect your opinion, but to call kobe what you did, and to think that wade is the best 2 in the league, that my freind aint true, in my opinion nega!
Nov.15 at 5:14 pm
manuel says:
this is not good because he is supoussed to be #1.kobe and bron are nothing for him
Nov.16 at 2:50 pm
Jay says:
How can Wade not be #1. He has done more than LeBron from a record standpoint and has the NBA Finals MVP that Kobe doesn’t have. He’s the Derek Jeter of basketball. True playoff performer.
Nov.17 at 1:06 pm
jeffrey guglielmo says:
can i get to have dwyane autograph and number.
Nov.17 at 8:40 pm
Art says:
KB24 is # 1. Why? It’s simple. All around player. Kobe takes the challenge of guarding the best player on the other team. Everytime Kobe plays Wade, Kobe guards Wade. Does Wade guard Kobe? Hell not. I still don’t know how Wade got 2nd team all defense a couple of years ago when Eddie Jones was guarding the best player on the other team and got no probs for it. As for Lebron, he is better the Wade but also plays no D. I don’t know who cherry picks more Bron or Wade. That’s a discussion for another day. I bet Bron and Wade would make excellent bull fighters. I could of sworn I heard the crowd go OhLey watching a Miami game. Poor Shaq gets in foul trouble all the time now because Wade lets his player drive the lane time and time again. Anyways, no question about it in my eyes. KOBE # 1 by far. Sholong everybody.
Nov.18 at 1:57 am
Logan says:
your boy wade’s team got whupped by the knicks…enuff said! and can someone please teach wade that you are allowed 2 steps not 3 and you cannot palm the ball while dribbling? please? its a nightmare to watch him play…the next gen of ballers will think all this is legit…
Nov.19 at 1:33 am
Love & Basketball says:
Does anyone else think Wally Sczerbiak gets away with travelling alot? I mean he’s a good shooter/decent player/former all star, but seriously lol http://loveandbasketball2.blogspot.com
Nov.20 at 12:11 am
Drew says:
d wade i think we are talking about a brilliant player../ he is the first guy to step outside the boundaries and kind of move in a different direction. What I mean is that he makes you want to overlook that fact that he is great and so he wants you to think about what else he can do… maybe write a novel about shaq… to be the best ever he really would have to do someting big like win a slam dunk contest
Nov.21 at 4:32 pm
Mush says:
Iverson shoulda been 3rd!
Nov.22 at 10:58 pm
abdoul says:
D-wade is a waste iverson should number 3. Dwayne wade has no skills wats so ever witout shaq he s nothing. You remember the first year nobody knew him he got his fame from shaq. D-wade cant play defense cant shoot the ball always cherry picks thats how he gets his points. I hate also hate d wadebecuz he does give respect to other player he thinks he s al dat just becuz shaq is there. D-wade sucks wen he shoots the ball good and better yet plays defense then we talk about a debat Kobe and d wade. Kobe shited on him at the all star game dwayne wade got his blocks from kobe by coming from the back but kobe shot in his face and the degree of diffuculty was unbelievable.D wade cant even pass 50 points as a carreer high and this summer he tried to facial a center from germany team and block. My point in all of this is dat dwayne wade sucks and needs to get out of Shaq balls. D wade will never as good as kobe bryant and will never be anything witout shaq. D wade and Lebron are not the futur of the industry becuz they cant drible properly they travel 2 much and cant play d like kobe thats one of the other reason why kobe s 1. Dwayne wade play defense so that shaq doesnt get in foul trouble. D WADE AND LEBRON PLEASUCK AND ARE TOO OVERATED SE SOMEBODY TEACH HOW TO PLAY BASKETBALL PROPERLY.
Nov.26 at 12:26 pm
tyler harjew says:
yes, dwayne wade should be number three. but i think if he develops killa three,then shit son, ya’ll betta watch out -Jamal
Nov.28 at 5:48 pm
johnstark says:
#3 is perfect for the actual level of D-wade. He’s improving in assists, and steps up whenever his team needs him. And it’s his fuckin team, not shaq’s. Just let him progress in 3pts, and the king-kobe debate will no longer be one.
Dec.9 at 4:53 pm
sebastiangggtre says:
this site sucks balls yo dwade is tight he is the best in the nba today so stop hatin on my boy d!
Dec.13 at 7:55 pm
Thomas Kean says:
all i got to say is Dwanye Wade is my idol! This is the best dude in basketball i meen come on he is caring his team with out Shaq. This Kid will be the best ever!
Jan.11 at 5:25 pm
Brittani says:
its offical everyone is crazy cause it is obvious to see that Rip Hamilton and Carmelo are the hottestinthe game right now but wade is hot! They don’t get the credit they desire. and the est are over rated.
Jan.12 at 11:16 am
William Hall says:
Kobe don’t have shit on Flash and that’s 4real!
Jan.16 at 10:06 pm
Kevin Kleiner says:
nobody got shit on Wade I would’nt be suprised
if he’s first some day, but I am suprised he is
not #1 right now.
Jan.21 at 3:38 pm
dwayne wifey says:
hey dwyane im one of your biggest fan and your face is on my wall and i get to see you every morning hope to see you in real life one on one any ways just wanted to say you have and lot of fans out there and your very loved keep all that good work up your #1 fan Aisha
Feb.14 at 9:58 am
lil teezy says:
1. lebron 2. d-wade 3. kobe
Feb.21 at 4:23 pm
C-Dub says:
Wade is good, but not better than Nash, Dirk, or Duncan. He might not even be better than Gilbert! #3 is too high, he can’t carry a team like the others I just named. He needs to become a better passer OR (not and) a better shooter to be considered a top 5 player.
Feb.24 at 4:44 am
davidstern says:
Dwade’s ad on falling down 7 and getting up 8.
he’d have to start “down” to get up 1 extra time. well guess that means he was already down from a flop; contrary to most other NBA players that stand upright and fall down 7 and get up 7.
Feb.27 at 5:36 pm
raequan jones says:
you are the best on the team shaq sucks this is your team i play nba are record is 19 1 im leading scoer your the best get surgery and get out thier you are better then kobe iwant to join your kids club tell me can you please say my name on 1 of your games and my cuz chazz see you cuz
Feb.27 at 5:58 pm
Princess AiJah says:
Dwanye Wade is a great player so all u haters that hating on him u need to stop right now. i just hope these ppl who made this list betta have Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony ( i love them) give my props to Kobe Bryant iight.
Mar.1 at 12:45 pm
Ashley says:
d.wade is so sexy and he is the best guard in the lead!!!!!!!!!
Mar.10 at 4:33 pm
Hope Heard says:
d wade is by far the fakest nba player; he falls, he cries and everyone loves him he looks like a bug and he let that fat boy, Shaq run him they both suck
Mar.28 at 4:27 pm
arons dad says:
Dwayne wade is my son!!!!!!!
Mar.28 at 4:29 pm
Mr. wade says:
I am proud of my son!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar.31 at 6:35 pm
Kanari says:
I have alot of respect for his ass damn
Apr.1 at 8:01 pm
bernard says:
daz ma favorite player d.wade
Apr.2 at 5:48 pm
Lisa May says:
I love dewayne wade so much i watch mostly all of their games
May.9 at 7:03 pm
Jamie says:
What happened this year in playoffs?
Jun.1 at 4:31 pm
stats says:
wades 57 points
Jun.19 at 9:16 pm
fred says:
MAN I DON’T Care wat none of yall say wade is the best playa in da world look at lebron he anint even doing nuttin and the playoffs but is he sick wade played wit da flu in da playoffs and still banked 14 and won da championship yall can’t say anything know cuz yall know he is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jun.27 at 4:25 pm
Andy says:
THE BEST EVER
Jul.10 at 7:24 am
All day says:
I think D wade goes #1 over lebron only because lebron took the risk and skipped college and dwade didnt and he became a better player. Dwade is this best even though he hqad his surgery in the summer hes stilll gonna woop. Dwade all day I got like 3 of his jersey college and 2 miami heat 1
Aug.6 at 11:23 pm
Phillip says:
dwyane is really cool!
Aug.6 at 11:29 pm
mark says:
screw the trail blazers!!!! the heat is way better! Dwyane is my favorite player!!!!!
Nov.28 at 1:45 am
dardigs29 says:
ow wade is my idol in nba
Nov.28 at 1:47 am
dardigs29 says:
wade is the best of all prayer of nba except lebron,steve bnash and m jordan
Jan.10 at 5:09 pm
NorwegianHeatFan says:
It’s just the inside- out combination of Shaq and Wade that makes tham so good. Without Shaq, Wade wouldn’t have been the same person, and vice versa. The Heat got a lot of talented players that doesnt get that much attention, but Wade is their superstar. I’ll follow Wade. I’ll follow the Heat. But, yes LeBron is maybe a better all-around player. I respect him, and T-Mac, Kobe… I just like Wade the most. I’ve gotten a bad first impression of Kobe and Arenas, and that pulled me to Wade. Without MJ: No B-Ball. Without Wade&Shaq: No Heat for me (except J-Will, Toine, Haslem, Quinn xD) Taking away Shaq or Wade is like trying to tie your shoe without a lace. The Heat being the shoe, and Shaq and Wade being the lace who ties them together.