"No one could break down my game": Dwyane Wade reveals adopting 'Michael Jordan' mindset during his rookie year in the NBA
Miami Heat great Dwyane Wade always knew he had the game and at one point believed, at his very best, he had the same mentality as NBA legend Michael Jordan.
The three-time NBA champion shared this in the latest episode of "7PM in Brooklyn" on Thursday. He told hosts Carmelo Anthony and The Kid Mero that he is proud of the way he developed his legacy as a solid all-around player among the best that did it in the game.
The former Marquette standout said:
"I had to run it back because no one really knows, they don't understand my game. You don't know what I did. I did so many different things, I played so many different roles. I'm not the greatest shooter of all time, but I was great at so may different things... I learned to be great in all of these things. And no one knows how to really break down my game ...
When I had it, I had it. Before injuries, I'm like MJ (Michael Jordan). I'm coming for you. That's my mentality. I thought I'm gonna be the greatest because I figured it out early in the league..."
Dwyane Wade was selected fifth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Heat, where he established his legacy as an NBA great. In his first year, he came out exactly knowing what he wanted to accomplish. He finished third in scoring with 16.2 points, behind Carmelo Anthony (21 ppg) of the Denver Nuggets and LeBron James (20.9 ppg) of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He finished third in the Rookie of the Year race behind winner LeBron and runner-up Anthony.
Wade started in 56 out of the 61 games he played in, on his way to earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team, joining James, Anthony, Chris Bosh (Toronto) and Kirk Hinrich (Chicago). More importantly, his arrival also helped the Heat make a 17-game improvement from the previous year at 42-40.
The following year, his improvement continued, posting numbers of 24.1 points, 6.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals. In 2006, Dwyane Wade became an NBA champion for the first time and was named the Finals MVP. He added two more titles in 2012 and 2013.
Dwyane Wade inspired by Michael Jordan
While Dwyane Wade did not become Michael Jordan, 'His Airness,' however, inspired him to become a basketball legend in his own right.
'D-Wade' made sure to highlight that during his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last year, relaying how as a young player, 'MJ' captured his imagination, which propelled him to a successful career in basketball.
The three-time NBA champion said in his speech:
"Before and after my games, I studied the player who had replaced my Pops as my favorite -- Michael Jordan... The way he soared through the air felt like forever. He created moves that made me immediately rush to my backyard to recreate them.
He captured my imagination and fueled my aspirations all at the same time."
Dwyane Wade's admiration for Jordan was also reciprocated by the latter, who admitted being a fan of the Miami Heat great.
The Chicago Bulls legend backed Wade as an MVP candidate in the 2008-09 NBA season, where he averaged career-best numbers of 30.2 points, 7.5 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.3 blocks. He finished third in the MVP voting that year, with LeBron James winning it.