Dwyane Wade’s Top 10 Games of 2012-2013

Feb 26, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Arena. The Heat won in a double overtime 141-129. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings 129, Miami Heat 141

Highlights: pass to roller for layup, turnaround jumper, transition reverse, putback, transition dunk, Eurostep lefty clutch finger roll, clutch reverse finger roll, banked floater, cut and seal, tip, transition alley-oop pass, baseline floater, baseline reverse scoop, alley-oop pass, hesitation alley-oop pass, reverse cut, coast to coast turnaround jumper, turnaround jumper, transition dunk, chasedown block and pass for corner 3, baseline cut

Statistics: 39 points (.679/.500/.000), 8 rebounds, 7 assists (4 turnovers), 3 steals, 2 blocks (1 foul) in 45 minutes (+5)

Advanced: 34.3 GmSc, 67.5% TS, 33.9% USG, 123 ORtg, 114 DRtg

Before the Heat acquired Chris Andersen, the baseline was Dwyane Wade’s territory. Wade is able to reach max halfcourt speed in about two steps so turning away from Wade off the ball is a death sentence. Wade is probably the premier Eurostepper (he calls it the two step) in the league as he breaks it out in the halfcourt whereas other practitioners primarily use it against backpedaling defenders in transition. Wade’s speed, finishing and athleticism allow him to convert Euro layups, floaters and even the occasional dunk in traffic. His excellent court awareness and balance enable him to hit turnaround fadeaways and spin jumpers regularly. In the open court, Wade is a triple threat as he comfortably drives, passes or pull-ups. Like his teammate, Wade is an opportunist defender with a sense of the moment, i.e. chasedown blocks, stealing passes, stripping ballhandlers, etc. Finally, though he gravitates too much toward hero ball, Wade isn’t afraid of clutch situations and Erik Spoelstra isn’t afraid to let him isolate with the game on the line. Even if he’s not hitting the “game winner” (he missed the go-ahead shot at the buzzer), he knows how to euthanize an opponent on life support (the chasedown block on a red-hot Marcus Thornton and assist to LeBron James spotting up in the corner).