- Dwyane Wade believes he should have been the MVP in 2009 over LeBron James
- Wade and James had comparable stats
- Ultimately, the Cavaliers being more competitive than the Heat was the difference-maker
There is no doubt that MVP races in the NBA can get very heated. There are often multiple players that are deserving of the award in any given season, and that was the case in 2009.
In 2009, the top 3 players in MVP voting were LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade. James ended up winning the award, averaging 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. He was definitely a deserving winner, but recently, Dwyane Wade suggested that he was the one who should have won MVP.
“I understand why LeBron won it… but as an individual player, that was my MVP year.”
There is no doubt that Dwyane Wade had a fantastic 2008-09 season. He averaged 30.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. However, despite his impressive individual numbers, the Miami Heat only finished 43-39. Meanwhile, LeBron James’ Cavaliers team finished with a 66-16 record. It is clear that team record was the separator in this MVP race, despite the two players’ individual numbers being comparable.
Dwyane Wade is one of the best players to have never won an MVP award, but at the end of the day, Wade has shown that he can perform like an MVP when it matters the most. He led the Miami Heat to the 2006 championship and won the 2006 Finals MVP after averaging 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Though not having an MVP award diminishes his overall career in the eyes of some people, ultimately, showing up in big moments is what’s important.
Stephen A. Smith Believes LeBron James Wouldn’t Be A Champion Without Dwyane Wade
LeBron James didn’t win his first championship until 2012, after teaming up with Dwyane Wade in 2010. Many believe that Wade taught James what it takes to win at the highest level, and previously, Stephen A. Smith claimed that LeBron James wouldn’t know what it’s like to be a champion without Dwyane Wade.
“Here’s why, LeBron James, one can easily argue, wouldn’t even know what it’s like to be a champion if it wasn’t for Dwyane Wade. Somebody’s got to say it, so I’m gonna say it… I’m of the mindset that LeBron James owes his championship pedigree to Dwyane Wade.”
There is no doubt that this is a hypothetical, that cannot be proven in either direction. LeBron James has managed to win two championships without the presence of Wade on his team, so it’s fair to say at least that James has shown that he can win in a different environment. James’ talent suggests that he would have won a championship regardless without Wade, but perhaps Wade’s presence helped accelerate that process.
Dwyane Wade Had One Of The GOAT Careers In NBA History
There is no doubt that Dwyane Wade had an amazing career, and he is deservedly a Hall of Fame player. In fact, Dwyane Wade believes he has had one of the GOAT careers in NBA history, and for good reason.
Ultimately, Dwyane Wade has cemented himself as an NBA legend for years to come. He will forever be remembered as one of the faces of the Miami Heat, and right now, he is the greatest player to suit up for the franchise.
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