The Flash Statue!

The man who put the Miami Heat on the map. The young franchise formed 18 years prior won a title with a 24-year-old player leading the way. Dwyane Wade changed the history of Miami sports and the NBA as a whole. Playing three years at Marquette University, where he was able to build up his stock. Being part of a historic draft that included LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony. From there on, one of the greatest shooting guards ever was able to dominate.

Pat Riley knew he saw greatness while watching a young D. Wade during the rookie combine. Pat, when talking about Wade, had this to say: "And I say this because greatness stands out. It stands out," Riley continued. "And there are a lot of great players running up and down that court. Great athletes, great players, and other very good players. But you stood out, Dwyane, and you dominated." The young rookie was a sign of the new era. The new team had a talent who could lead them to the future. And the 2003-04 season showed us a glimpse.

The 2003 draft had some incredible talent. LeBron James, the "Chosen One," came straight from high school. Carmelo Anthony came off a championship at Syracuse. Both players had the buzz to become the future faces of the league. Wade was able to make a name for himself in his rookie year. Creating his lane and making himself a future star who fell third in the Rookie of the Year race. With averages of 16 points, 46 percent shooting, and 4.5 rebounds and assists. The young player led Miami to the playoffs. They lost to the Jermaine O'Neal Pacers in six games. Then a huge trade takes place, which shakes up the NBA world.

Then the biggest trade in the world takes place. Shaquille O'Neal, after his fallout with the Lakers and Kobe Bryant, found himself a new home. The three-time champion was now wearing a Miami Heat jersey. The duo of Shaq and Wade were a huge buzz out in the East. Heat looked like absolute contenders, and Wade was able to make one hell of a leap.

Dwyane Wade was incredible in his second year. Making his first-ever All-Star team play next to his MVP teammate Shaq. Averaging an impressive 24 points per game, 7 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game. He was dominate that year. Miami looked like contenders under young head coach Stan Van Gundy. The Miami Heat had a great post-season. Beating the New Jersey Nets led by Jason Kidd in a sweeping fashion. The Wizards lost in a sweep led by Antawn Jamison and young Gilbert Arenas. In the second round, the Heat lost to the champion Pistons in seven games.

The Miami Heat continued to improve. The franchise was diverse. It had young players like Wade's draftmate Udonis Haslem and Jason Williams. Also, Antoine Walker. Old veterans like Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning wanted a title to end their careers. Then, in the mid-season, a big change happened. Stan Van Gundy stepped down from coaching. Former champion coach Pat Riley returned to lead this team. The Heat went on to finish the season as the second seed and then went on to make history.

The Miami Heat went on to win their first championship. Wade averaged 27 points, 6.7 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. He made the All-Star Game starting lineup. Wade became a superstar, which everyone expected. They beat the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs and the former champions, the Detroit Pistons. The Heat looked ready to win a title. Then in the finals, they faced another young superstar, Dirk Nowitzki. He was trying to lead the Mavs to their first championship. The Heat were down 0-2 until Wade went ape shit. Averaging 34 points per game and 7.8 rebounds, he had one of the greatest performances ever. Becoming the fifth youngest player to win FMVP.

Dwayne Wade's body started to decline a few years after the championship run. He missed 31 games in the 2006–07 season. Wade had to get shoulder and left knee surgery during that time. Then in 2008, Shaq was traded to the Suns. Miami Heat went from being one of the best teams in the East and champions to now being one of the worst.

In the 2008 Olympics, D. Wade was the leading scorer. Playing next to the likes of Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and LeBron James. He was looking to dominate that season after dealing with injuries for the past few years. In that season, he won his first and only scoring title. And scored over 10,000 points in his NBA career. Then, against the Celtics, Wade outscored Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. But he lost in five games due to his supporting cast.

In the 2010 off-season, the NBA world changed. A brand-new superteam was introduced to the world. Former MVP LeBron James and All-Star Chris Bosh took their talents to South Beach. Everyone was expecting the Heat to win at least seven championships. Three stars in their prime were joining forces, and it felt like nobody could stop them. The Heat finished with the second seed. Beating the veteran Celtics' Big 3 in seven games. But it did not pan out as expected.

Experts expected the Big 3 to dominate in the finals. After beating the 76ers, led by Andre Iguodala. And beating the Celtics in seven games. Then in the Eastern Conference Finals, Heat managed to beat the Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls. The finals were all that remained. But Dirk Nowitzki had revenge on his mind. After blowing an 0-2 lead against the Heat five years prior, he was able to win a title. Dirk put up a legendary Finals series and made history. LeBron had the worst finals of his career. They left that postseason with a lot of questions. On if they could win a title anytime soon or if they are a failure.

The Heat's Big 3 had a lot of questions coming into the regular season. On if they would be good enough to win a championship. It was a lockout season that year, which resulted in a short season. But when it finally started, it felt like that team had a lot to prove. The Heat beat the Carmelo-led Knicks in five games. And then beat the Pacers led by Danny Granger and young Paul George in seven. In the finals, Miami beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden led them. LeBron and Bosh won their first titles, and Wade won his second. Now they are looking to win their second title.

Miami was coming into the season as champions. But a lot of people looked at it sideways due to the lockout season. The expectations of the Heat were incredible. Especially with the addition of declining star Ray Allen. Wade was on the decline health-wise as he had another knee surgery. Miami beat the Bucks in four games. Then they beat the Bulls in five. The Pacers, led by a new star, Paul George, took Miami to seven games. Then, in the finals, the Heat played the Spurs. San Antonio had won four titles. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili were on their way to the Hall of Fame. They were the deepest teams in the league. So when Miami beat the San Antonio Spurs in seven, it solidified that the Big 3 was a success. But Dwayne Wade had his lowest averages. Finishing the series with 19 points in seven games. But the injuries continued to be a burden.

Dwyane Wade had it tough in the 2013-14 season. He missed 28 games and rested in back-to-back games. He averaged 19 points per game and seemed to be on the decline. Heat was able to beat the failed superteam of the Brooklyn Nets in the playoffs. and the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. But the Spurs came with revenge as they dominated and destroyed Miami in five games. The Big 3 chapter was coming to an end, and a new chapter was opening up for D. Wade.

LeBron James decided to take his talent back home. Teaming up with young Kyrie Irving in the hopes of leading his hometown to their first championship. Chris Bosh decided to remain on the team. Miami still had Head Coach Erik Spoelstra and Udonis Haslem to build on their momentum. Along with adding new talent Goran Dragić and Luol Deng. Wade dealt with a hamstring injury, which led to him missing the All-Star game. Also, the Heat missed the playoffs. Then in 2016, Wade opted in on his last deal. Having a healthy season where he was able to beat Kemba Walker and the Hornets in seven games. Then losing to the Raptors led by Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan in seven games. The off-season was a big deal in D. Wade's career.

Pat Riley and Dwyane Wade could not reach a new deal. Pat Riley was not willing to pay him his money. Wade took his talent to his hometown of Chicago, teaming up with the young Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo. Then the Bulls decided to rebuild. Wade got bought out and went ahead and teamed up with his old teammate. Joining LeBron James and Kevin Love in the hopes of competing against the Warriors. But it did not work out as planned. Wade found himself back home in Miami.

This was the final season of Dwyane Wade's career. A legend whk was looking to say goodbye to the game that he loved. Exchanging jerseys with every player on the court. It was an incredible trend to watch. Wade was able to join the 20k points, 5k assists, and 4k rebounds club. One of the best things of that season was that he was celebrated in the All-Star game with his rival Dirk Nowitzki. Wade in his final game scored 30 points against the Sixers.

After his career, Wade became a part owner of the Utah Jazz. He got his jeresy retired in Miami and now got a statue. In 2023, Dwyane was introduced to the NBA Hall of Fame. It was incredible to see. A well-deserved legend who I enjoyed through out my childhood. This was well deserved and awesome. A man who put this organization on the map. Miami Heat owes everything to Dwyane Wade!

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