Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart received a very special gift from one of his childhood heroes growing up. Following the Lakers' close 108-105 victory over the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade gifted his own game-worn sneakers to his longtime fan, along with a very special message to boot:
“I love the way you play the game. Reminds me of me. Keep going.”
D-Wade gifted his shoes to Josh Hart, who wears No. 3 in Wade's honor, after his final game in L.A. (via @billoram) #OneLastDance pic.twitter.com/YnolukP3jS
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 11, 2018
One can only imagine how Josh Hart, not the basketball player, but the fan, must have felt upon seeing this message on top of receiving the shoes.
According to Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints, D-Wade was the 23-year-old guard's favorite player growing up, and is the reason why he dons the No. 3:
Josh Hart on Dwyane Wade: "He was my favorite player growing up. The reason I wear No. 3." #Lakers #Heat
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) December 11, 2018
Hart finished the game with just nine points and five rebounds in 35 minutes. Nonetheless, it must have been a treat for him to play against one of his idols growing up and be matched up with him in his final game against the Lakers.
Wade's inspirational message may light a fire under Hart's belly to take the next step. In 27 games, the 6-foot-5 guard is averaging 9.1 points, 3.3. rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 25.2 minutes per contest.
This is a far cry from Wade's spectacular sophomore campaign, way back in 2004-05. Flash followed up his first-team All-Rookie finish in 2003-04 with second-year averages of 24.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks.
Nonetheless, despite the disparity in career trajectories thus far, Hart is still a young and developing prospect in this league. While he won't have the same Hall of Fame career D-Wade had, Hart still has a chance of achieving something that the Heat legend accomplished: win a championship alongside LeBron James.
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