We’re in the final stretch of the regular season, and the MVP race is tighter than ever. On one side, the numbers favor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; on the other, Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP, is right on his heels. Both have put on an absolute masterclass this season, making the decision anything but easy. So, who’s taking home the crown? Well, thanks to Dwyane Wade’s latest revelation about the MVP equation, things just got a whole lot clearer.
Dwyane Wade may never have won a regular-season MVP, but as the 2006 NBA Finals MVP, he knows exactly what it takes. He also understands the unspoken rule of MVP voting, past winners are often judged against their own legacy, not just the competition. Take Michael Jordan in 1997. By almost every traditional metric, he outperformed Karl Malone. Yet, Malone won the award. Why? Because while 1997 Jordan was better than 1997 Malone, he wasn’t quite the unstoppable force he was in 1996.
On a recent episode of The Dwyane Wade Podcast, Wade and his co-hosts tackled the heated MVP debate. Chris Paul firmly backed Nikola Jokic, arguing that the Nuggets star had every right to claim the award. But Wade wasn’t convinced. “Okay, but let me challenge that because we have MVP fatigue… we’ve seen Jokić win multiple times,” Wade countered. While Paul stood by his stance, Bob Metelus subtly nodded in agreement with Wade, adding a simple “Yes.” Bob hesitated but leaned toward voting for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But as the discussion unfolded, Wade made a compelling case, one that ultimately explained why Jokić isn’t the clear favorite this year.
Wade broke it down further, saying, “This is the eye test sometimes. In my eye test, like you said, Bob, that kid (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) over there has all the swag. He’s leading a young team to the next level. Last year, I wanted to see him lift the trophy. Now, he’s come back and done it again, at the same level or higher. So yes, hand him the trophy.” With Wade putting it that way, the MVP picture suddenly looked a lot clearer.
Dwyane Wade went beast mode: carries Heat to chip, snags finals MVP
Dwyane Wade grabbed the final rebound of the 2006 NBA Finals, tossing the ball high as the clock hit zero. Then came the scream, a mix of pure joy and sheer relief. It was over. The Miami Heat were champions. “Man, it’s one of the best feelings – next to my wife and my son, that I’ve ever had in my whole life,” Wade said, still soaking in the moment.
With 36 points in Game 6, he carried Miami to a thrilling 95-92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, sealing his first championship. The Heat had dropped the first two games of the series, only to storm back and win four straight, all with Wade leading the charge. As confetti rained down, Shaquille O’Neal wrapped Wade in a bear hug. Heat owner Micky Arison joined in, celebrating the franchise’s first-ever title.
But Wade? He simply raised one finger high. He earned the Finals MVP, established himself as the best player in the playoffs, and led the NBA’s top team.“Wade is the best player ever,” O’Neal declared before the trophy ceremony. On that night, few could argue. Wade had arrived, not just as a champion, but as a legend in the making. His performance was one for the ages, a defining moment in Heat history. And for Miami, it was just the beginning of a golden era.
Wade’s own career offers insight into MVP voting. His 2006 Finals MVP had more to do with impact than long-term stats. That’s the same argument driving this year’s MVP debate: Do we reward sustained greatness or breakthrough performances?
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