Growing up in Chicago, there was no better idol for Dwyane Wade than Michael Jordan. Jordan was the centerpiece for a legendary Chicago Bulls squad that went on to dominate the NBA for the better part of a decade. Wade, who is a Chicago native, holds Jordan in high regard, not just for what MJ did for his team, but for who he was and what he helped the sport of basketball become.
In a recent video uploaded by the NBA as part of the NBA 75 campaign, Dwyane Wade spoke about the impact Michael Jordan had on him. Wade mentioned the incredible tenacity and skill Jordan played with on the court. But D-Wade was also mesmerized by the impact Jordan had off the court, with his shoes, his general persona, and how Jordan came across like a superhero to him (5:20 onwards).
“I just remember being a kid, and getting the chance to watch somebody that just did everything well. He played basketball, the excitement level, he won, he seemed to be like a tough competitor, vicious. Off the court, the commercials, he just did everything. He had the coolest shoes, he dressed well, he had the perfect smile. It was just like he was a superhero.”
Dwyane Wade wasn’t the only player to comment on Michael Jordan, as Larry Bird also spoke highly of his former rival. Wade was part of the historic 2003 NBA Draft class that included his friends LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Dwyane Wade was a shooting guard as well, much like Michael Jordan. In fact, many consider Dwyane Wade the greatest shooting guard after Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Wade went on to become one of the best players in NBA history as well. There were a lot of similarities in their game. Both were explosive players who could finish at the rim, and also played solid defense. Wade got to win an NBA championship earlier than both Jordan and Kobe did, winning his first NBA championship and Finals MVP at the end of his 3rd season in the league.
