All Flash no Finish, the Fall of Dwyane Wade

   How long ago was it that Dwyane Wade was crowned king of shooting guards? It feels as though not long ago media and fans alike were prepared to crown Wade as the successor to the almighty Kobe Bryant. It's amazing how quickly life changes. In 2011, ESPN named him the third best player in the association. Third. Now, Dwyane Wade is the guy who (intentionally or not), threw an elbow into Lance Stephenson's temple, as well as the former hero who traveled with less then a minute in a key playoff game. The issue with the current state of Dwyane Wade's game is not one play, or even a couple of plays from last night's debacle with the Pacers. Throughout the postseason, Wade was a shell of his former self. Once every quarter or so, Dwyane would do a particularly Dwayne thing to do, and he would make all of his doubters say, "Oh right! That's why he's an elite player!". The media helps Dwyane so incredibly much by protecting him from his doubters. The number of times I've heard members of ESPN and TNT analysts declare that Wade was only playing poorly because of his knee injury has easily exceeded Wade's average scoring totals per game throughout the playoffs.

 

ESPN does a substantially better job defending Wade than Wade does of anyone he guards.



   Maybe injuries are causing Dwyane Wade to slow down, perhaps that knee is the only thing separating Miami from being locked in to a final with San Antonio right now, but lets not forget, Wade is 31 years old. Depending on the severity of the knee injury, Wade might not recover, and even if he does, will he ever return to his previous greatness? History suggests he won't. I'm going to throw out some names, and you let me know how well they responded to injury. Harold Miner. Pete Maravich. Brandon Roy.

   Harold Miner is an excellent comparison to Dwyane Wade because both men shared the gift of flight. Early in Miner's career, he began to draw Michael Jordan comparisons, just like Wade. In only four years in the league, Miner won the NBA Dunk contest twice. What injury do you suppose tore apart Harold's promising young career? That's right! A knee injury! Actually several nagging injuries, just like Wade. Harold was forced to end his career prematurely because an injury to his knee squelched the most significant and deadly part of his game, his athleticism. Guess who else relies nearly solely on athleticism.

   Pete Maravich holds a legacy of both heartbreak and heart warmth. After Pete's career, he was able to put aside a life of debauchery to secure a happy and stable life all while teaching future generations how to shoot the lights out. His actual career however was cut short by, yup, a knee injury. A flashy, delightfully entertaining, and spectacular young guard who was forced to quit after ten short years.

   Brandon Roy, (who is making that face because his knee is exploding) epitomizes a more recent example of knee-related failure. Roy's lack of cartilage in his knees cut short a promising if not disappointing young career. In an attempted comeback, Roy failed to accomplish nearly anything for the Timberwolves before retiring for a second time. One other thing about Roy? HE'S TWO YEARS YOUNGER THAN DWYANE WADE.

   Once upon a time, Michael Jordan ruled the ranks of shooting guard, as well as the entire NBA, with an iron fist. He continued to do so until his late thirties, because even as Air Jordan lost his air, he improved. His footwork, gamesmanship, shooting ability, all soared to maintain his level of dominance. After father time finally caught up with Michael, (Or when Jordan decided to allow time to do so if you believe anything like me) Kobe Bryant inherited the scepter. Bryant also continued to excel as his legendary athleticism was eclipsed by his magnificent footwork, but out of a small school in Wisconsin came a fiery beast named Dwyane Wade. Wade slashed around, punched through, and hopped over any defenders in his way, and teamed with an aging Shaq to win a championship. For years, Wade and Kobe clashed for top two guard in the association, until something changed. Dwyane Wade began to grow old as Kobe did, as the two legends are separated by merely three years of age. Kobe Bryant followed in the steps of Jordan and used footwork and guile to remain atop the professional world of basketball, but his fellow man, Wade, did not. Dwyane still shoots as poorly as he did upon his entrance to the league, and he often charges to the rim as once was his custom. The rigors of playing smashmouth driving basketball caught up to him, no longer does Dwyane have the elite explosiveness that he once maintained and that guards like Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose now possess.

   If Wade wishes to remain elite, he will have to expand his game as the greats before him have. Athleticism is a gift of God to the young man, and what Dwyane Wade is, is a young man no more. Rather than taking bad shots and crying for fouls, Wade should work on his jump shot, or perhaps his footwork. Miami finds itself in serious trouble with a young explosive Pacer team, and in order for Miami to play to their full potential, Wade will have to adjust. Father time can be evaded, but you can't run, jump, or slash away from him.