Full-Strength Flash a Sight To See

by Steve Weinman on Nov 11, 2008 1:51 AM EST in NBA Articles

Dwyane Wade has spent the first seven games of the Heat's season putting the rest of the NBA on notice: He is officially back.

It was another run-of-the-mill night for Wade in South Beach last night. All he did was lead his team with 33 points on 9-of-18 shooting (4-of-7 from deep, 11-of-12 on free throws) and five assists en route to a comeback victory from 12 points down against the Nets.

We babbled over the summer about how surprisingly easy it had become to forget how good this guy is. Despite his NBA title, despite his Finals MVP, despite his four All-Star appearances, it was those 95 games missed due to injury over his first five seasons that jumped out at me heading into this summer.

Then Wade spent the offseason tearing it up with Team USA. It shouldn't have taken that much - or his several highlight reel plays at both ends of the floor - to provide a reminder. It shouldn't have been needed.

Now, he's back at it on Association turf. Heading into last night, he was averaging 26.2 points, 8.0 assists and 6.5 boards per game to go with 55.9 percent true shooting on the young season. As far as such statistically well-rounded performance is concerned, only one other player comes to mind as a comparison thus far this year, and he goes by LeBron.

He assuredly doesn't need to hear it from me, but welcome back, Dwyane. Pleasure to get to watch you at full strength again.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

He looked like he's back...

Wade definitely has the shooting touch & the swagger back. Nice to watch as long as he’s not playing the C’s.

It remains to be seen if he can stay healthy. I didn’t see the whole game, but if he’s still crashing into the floor on drives 10 times a game, he’s going to get injured.

by LuckyNumber07 on Nov 11, 2008 6:39 AM EST reply actions

Agreed that the jury is still out on how long he can stay healthy,

but as long as he is, what a joy to watch, huh?

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 11, 2008 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

wade was the best player on the olympic team. he plays like a bigger rondo who can shoot, tho he could do better at the charity stripe. i’m glad he’s back and welcome the competition— tho- enough of those dopey ads with barkley.

by nazzbo on Nov 11, 2008 9:01 AM EST reply actions

whoa, nazzbo, no love for the spots with Sir Charles?

Definitely some of my favorite commercials over the past few years. The Round Mound of Sound gets me every time, and Wade plays the perfect straight man for him in those commercials…they aren’t quite as potent as the KG spot for NBA TV, but I’ve got nothing but love for Flash and Sir Charles’ work together.

What’s the general feeling about that on the board here? Charles and Flash for T-Mobile: Fan or not?

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 11, 2008 11:01 AM EST up reply actions