Dwyane Wade has entered his 15th season in the league after being the 5th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, behind players including Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Darko Milicic and LeBron James. However, the first 3 games of this season, Dwyane has seemingly not been himself, he has not scored the basketball like he has his whole career, and a lot of people are questioning why. This is the first time in Wade’s career that he is not the face or one of the two faces of the team, the first time he is not the first or second option. With superstars including Kevin Love, LeBron James, Derrick Rose and Isaiah Thomas when healthy on the Cavaliers roster, Wade’s role has diminished in comparison to his earlier seasons in the league.
Although he has had a slow start, Cavaliers teammate and superstar small forward LeBron James has got D-Wade’s back.
LeBron talks about Wade’s slow start
Dwyane Wade has averaged 5.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 2 rebounds during his first three games of this season. This is obviously not Wade-like, as we saw him average 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 3.8 APG just last season with his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. So it isn’t the matter of him being out of his prime or unable to play basketball at a high level anymore, it's more about him finding his role and comfort on his new team. LeBron spoke about the need for getting Wade involved, saying:
“We gotta get him going, you know at some point. Something we are going to look at.
We are all trying to figure it out as well but we gotta get him going, and hopefully, we can do that on Tuesday.”
Wade also talked his rough start, saying:
“Trying to find it. [The team] is different than I’ve ever played… Trying to find ways I can be best for this team. Everything has happened so fast. But I’ll figure it out.”
Wade attributed the difference on this team in comparison to any other team he has played on to the lack of being a top 2 scoring option on the team.
Although Dwyane will still be used as a scorer and a playmaker, he will not be used over LeBron, Love, Isaiah and maybe not even Derrick Rose.
Dwyane could thrive once he finds comfort
Although Dwyane Wade will not be one of the top scoring or playmaking options on the Cleveland Cavaliers, he can still be very successful. Without all the focus from the opposing team's defenses being on him, Wade can avoid ever being double teamed and can score the ball at a very efficient level with the easier shots he should get.
Along with the passing ability of LeBron James, who will likely find his good friend for a lot of easy shots this year. Once Dwyane Wade finds comfort in his role on this Cavs team, it will be scary for the opposition, which is something Cavalier teammates have speculated.
