Miami’s 2012-2013 Season: Wade in the Water
Dwyane Wade
We are still six weeks away from training camp and ten weeks away from opening tip in the NBA, but yet there still remains questions in South Beach as to whether or not eight time all-star guard Dwyane Wade will be ready.
After winning his second NBA title with the Miami Heat this past season Wade, after speculation and rumors admitted to playing hurt in the playoffs and was at “80 percent” at best the whole postseason. Rumors swirled after game 3 in the Eastern Conference 2nd round when Wade had one of his worst performances scoring only 5 points on 2-13 shooting, while also getting into a heated argument with head coach Erik Spoelstra where it was reported that Spoelstra called out Wade in a timeout for “playing like trash”.
After the nineteen point loss to the Pacers it was then reported that Wade had gotten his knee scoped pre-game, but despite it all Wade being the professional he was, never admitted to such accusations and instead put the blame on himself saying, “I have to play better and I know I can play better”.
Despite a great game vs Indiana in game 4 (30 points), Wade did not have a dominant playoff run this past season as he averaged 22.8 PPG, 4.3 APG, and 5.2 RBG which was a tad off from his title run in 2006 when he averaged 28.4 PPG, 5.7 APG, 2.2 SPG, and 5.9 RPG on his way to his first NBA title and first NBA Finals MVP.
Now looking at those stats might not say much but through the eye-test it was apparent that Dwyane Wade was not his true self throughout Miami’s run. Some may say it can be attained to Wade giving the keys to the car to LeBron when he admitted that LeBron was the “best player on the team and we go as he goes” and some attain it to Wade getting up their in age, but either way it goes Wade played hurt and was not his dominant self.
After winning it all Wade had arthroscopic surgery July 9th on his left knee and recovery time is usually six to eight weeks for that procedure.
With the surgery Wade was not able to join his teammate James and other teammates from the 2008 “Redeem Team” joining Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard as others from the 08 team that were forced out of action with injuries.
Marked to the date it has been six weeks since Wade had the procedure and the Heat are now two weeks away from basketball action. Asked about the procedure and how he’s doing Wade said, ““I’ll be ready on October 30th. No question.”
After showing up in London to see his fellow NBA mates battle it out, Wade was noticed walking without a limp and based on his history there is no doubt in the Heat’s mind that Wade will be ready to go October 30th vs Boston.
In a much anticipated season that now features a new “Big Three” or possibly a “Big Four” in Los Angeles, Miami will start out on their quest to repeat as NBA champions. Even with 3-time MVP LeBron James and Chris Bosh, much of Miami’s success will be contingent on Wade’s health.
