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The Miami Heat retired Dwyane Wade's No. 3 jersey Saturday night in a ceremony that brought the house down.
Wade — who will forever be synonymous with South Beach — took to Instagram to reflect on the evening, summing it up with some Notorious B.I.G. lyrics:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B86nzwjn5Jd/
Wade is the greatest player in franchise history. He played 15 seasons with the Heat, averaging 22.7 points, 5.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals while also averaging close to a block per game. Wade was named an All-Star in 13 of those 15 seasons, and he earned an All-NBA selection eight times.
Of course, Wade will most be remembered for his playoff heroics. He starred in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 steals and a block per game. Wade led all scorers in each of the last four games of the series, getting to the free-throw line at will and really cementing his status as “Flash.”
The former Marquette star would continue his high level of play and even win the scoring title during the 2008-09 season, but he would not get another shot at an NBA title until the Big Three era.
Although Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh would come up short during the 2011 NBA Finals, Wade nearly carried the Heat to a championship. While LeBron struggled, Wade averaged 26.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks while also posting — by far — the highest net rating.
James and Wade would not be denied for long. They won each of the next two NBA championships before the San Antonio Spurs essentially broke up the Big Three in 2014.
Wade enjoyed some good years with the Heat at the end of his career, including a fun farewell tour last season. But even then, his legacy had been set in stone.
Quite the dreamlike career, indeed.
