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Cleveland Cavaliers: Dwyane Wade is a legit Sixth Man of the Year candidate

By Jared Hesketh

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 28: Dwyane Wade #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on November 28, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 108-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 28: Dwyane Wade #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on November 28, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 108-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Dwyane Wade is excelling in his new role with the Cleveland Cavaliers. As the leader of the second unit, Wade has played a crucial role in many games this season. If Wade keeps up his impressive play, he can very well make a case for Sixth Man of the Year.

At the age of 35, it is evident that Dwyane Wade still has the athletic ability and basketball IQ to compete against the best in the NBA. No, Dwyane Wade is not the MVP caliber, 25 points per night superstar he once was for the Miami Heat. Instead, in a Cleveland Cavaliers’ uniform, Wade still has much value just in a different way. Wade is the leader and the captain of one of the best bench units in all of the NBA.

While the Dwyane Wade signing with the Cavaliers might’ve been “unpopular” in the locker room at first, you can almost bet the team is ecstatic about it now.

This season Wade is averaging 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in his 23.5 minutes off the bench. He’s also shooting 43.5% from the field, which is better than his field goal percentage in Chicago, as well as a career-high 34.6% from three-point range.

Even better, it’s clear that the more Wade gets comfortable in Cleveland, the better he’s beginning to play. Throughout the Cavaliers, ten-game win streak Dwyane Wade has been playing exceptionally well.

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These past 10 games, Wade has averaged 13.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 block per game. To add on, his efficiency is only getting better. From the field, Wade has been knocking down 45.1%. In addition, when playing at home throughout this stretch, Wade his putting up an impressive stat line of 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.

To break Wade’s impressive streak down even more, let’s discuss his past five games. Wade has scored in double digits in five straight games now. Over the past five games, Wade is averaging 15.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 25.8 minutes. His efficiency has been significantly increasing. Wade is shooting 50.6% from the field and 52% from three-point range.

As the season goes on, Wade will only become more and more comfortable playing with his new teammates. That indicates that his stats and percentages will also continue to rise and get better. However, that doesn’t mean prime D Wade is coming back. The great part about Wade’s game in Cleveland is that he picks and chooses his spots. He is the leader of the second unit and gets everybody involved.

Whether it’s Kyle Korver, Jeff Green, Channing Frye, or anybody else out there aalongsideWade, he does a tremendous job finding his teammates and making sure they get their opportunity to contribute to the team as well.

With Derrick Rose gone, and possibly (hopefully) returning to the team once his injury heals, the second unit will only get stronger. The dynamic duo of Rose and Wade against opposing benches will truly be exciting to watch. However, until that time comes, Wade’s impressive play can’t be overlooked.

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While he does have some worthy competition, Wade has definitely put his name in consideration for the sixth man of the year award.