My favorite
color is GREEN.
My favorite movie
is PULP FICTION.My favorite rapper is BIGGIE
My favorite GOT character is LITTLEFINGER
The act of
choosing a favorite says far more about the chooser than what is being
chose.
I shared
these only for perspective. A person’s
favorite thing isn’t necessarily universally acclaimed the best or most outstanding. If someone said RED, TITANIC, TUPAC, and JON
SNOW their choices are just as valid because the business of choosing a
favorite is very personal…very intimate.
Basketball
is a special game because it can be played most anywhere. You can put a hoop in your backyard and play
by yourself, 1 on 1, 3 on 3, 5 on 5. You
can’t say that for baseball or football.
With basketball it’s easier to imagine yourself as your favorite player. If you see a great play on TV you can go
outside and try it immediately.
Basketball is unique in this regard.
Basketball also has a level of creativity that the other sports can’t
reach. The continuity of play the
movement of the players is beautiful to behold.
My favorite
basketball player for the last 16 years has been Dwyane Wade. He has not been
the best or most accomplished player over this span but he’s been at the top of
my list unchallenged. He is my personal avatar for how’d I play the game.
The
psychology of a favorite is simple. One
looks internally to find a connection then chooses a favorite.
Dwyane Wade
is first and foremost a WINNER. Everyone
in the NBA is a PLAYER but not all players are WINNERS. He played with reckless abandon. He put his
body on the line to WIN.
Dwyane Wade is
a PLAYMAKER. He was a combo guard before
it was branded. He played the pick and
roll to perfection. He was playing CHESS
out there and he owned the middle of the board like no other.
Dwyane Wade
is CLUTCH. In his prime…he was the most
clutch player in the league. He took
over 4th quarters during winning time.
Dwyane Wade
is a CHAMPION. The moment was never too
big for him. He never choked. He led his team to a Championship in his 3rd
season as a pro and was Finals MVP.
Wade’s
basketball instincts and IQ are off the charts.
I remember watching him during March Madness in 2003. He had no fear going into that elite 8
against Kentucky. He was the best player
on the floor. He played the hardest and
he was the smartest. Kentucky had no
chance that day.
Since his
rookie season in 2003 no players PEAK has exceeded his. I’ll put his 2006 NBA Finals performance
against anyone not named Jordan. His
2008-2009 regular season was VINTAGE.
30.2ppg, 7.5 ast, 5.0 rebs, 2.2 stl, 1.3 blk, 49% shooting percentage on
a team that averaged 98.3 points per game.
Wade is a
complete basketball player. He’s defense
was 1st rate. In fact the
picture at the top of this post is my favorite DWade Moment. In the 2011 Finals when his all NBA teammate was
melting down, Wade stepped up. Tyson
Chandler slipped the pick and roll, received a pocket pass and had an easy
finish in front of him. Wade, 9 inches
shorter, had help defense responsibility.
He could have conceded the dunk and moved on to the next play, but it’s
winning time and DWade is a winner. He
met Chandler at the rim and turned back the 7 footer. Watching it in real time was incredible. That play embodied WINNER/PLAYMAKER/CLUTCH/CHAMPION.
Dwyane Wade is
retiring at the end of this season. If
you watched him play this year you know he still has a lot in the tank. I love that he is retiring as a player that
can still determine outcomes in crunch time.
I will miss his GAME.
Miami will
always be WADE COUNTY in my book.
I’ve loved
basketball for 40+ years now. I’ve only
had 3 favorite players. Dr. J, Charles
Barkley, and DWade. I look forward to
choosing another soon. I’m scouting
Giannis now. I like what I see so far.
