D-Wade

Dwayne Wade, or D-Wade as he's called by many, is a starting guard for the Miami Heat and one game away from leading his team to the NBA Championship Trophy.

I've heard many comparisons, especially between he and Cleveland Cavaliers' guard LeBron James. While James was picked first in the draft three years ago, Wade was taken fifth. Most analysts claim that they'd still take James first in the draft. Me? I'd take Dwayne Wade, with LeBron going #2 and Carmello Anthony going at #3.

Yeah, I'm crazy right? LeBron James has more upside than anybody. Reggie Bush coming into the NFL out of USC reminds me a bit of James and the hype he received going into the NBA. But, if I had to pick from Michael Vick and Reggie Bush, I'd take Vick for the same reason I'd take Wade over LeBron. LeBron and Reggie are two of the most exciting players that I've had the pleasure to watch over the years, but what is unknown about Bush at this present time and what we're still waiting to see out of LeBron is leadership, attitude, and finding ways to win ball games. I don't care if LeBron scores 40 points a night, with 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, if Cleveland loses the game. I don't care if Bush rushes for an all-time record, if New Orleans loses the game.

While Dwayne Wade may not have quite as much up-side as LeBron James, the guy is a proven leader, plays with an attitude, and knows how to win ball games. He'll do anything it takes to win and he usually comes out on top. Remember last year, Wade carried the Heat into the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to Detroit in seven games. Shaq was banged up for most of the playoffs. The Heat sat on Wade's shoulders and he carried them all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Until this year, LeBron had never lead his team to the playoffs, where they lost in Game 7 to the Detroit Pistons in the second round, the team that Miami beat handily in six games. While Shaq has been pretty effective for the majority of the playoffs, Miami has leaned on Dwayne Wade. He's scored over 40 points twice in the NBA Finals and is averaging 34 points a game. He's especially come alive in the 4th quarter, where he lead Miami to a most unprobable comeback in Game 3 and to an overtime win two nights ago in Game 5. He didn't even shoot that well from the floor two nights ago, but when it was crunch time, he had the ball in his hands and did everything he could to make something happen, take the ball to the rim, and get fouled with 1.9 seconds left on the clock. Down by one, he made both free throws without the ball touching the rim. That's smooth. That's clutch. That's Wade.

He's a better defender than LeBron James. He's more consistent from the floor and more consistent from the foul line. He has a better midrange shot. He's more of a leader. He has more attitude. He's more clutch. When the game is on the line, Wade wants the ball in his hands. While people can argue with me all they want to and while James may have more upside than Wade, I would take Dwayne Wade over LeBron James if I had the chance. If Miami wins either Game 6 or Game 7, Wade will have lead his team to one more NBA Championship than James and will be awarded with the MVP as well.