Since Wade has been out of action, the Heat have put up an impressive 6-2 record. Before Wade got injured, the Heat (out of their last 15 games) were 8-7. Now, after last years finals appearance, everyone gave Wade all of the glory for their victory, and I will admit, he did a great job. He deserved that Finals MVP Trophy. BUT, what do you guys think about the Heat doing better without Wade? I do not find it as something too hard to believe. Wade goes down, Shaq gets more touches in the post, and we all know what Shaq can do down low.So, the ultimate question is, "Do you think Wade is overrated", and "Do you think the Heat will continue to do this well without Wade"?
I don't think Wade is overrated, I think the reason why the heat are playing better without Wade right now is that the rest of the guys know they can't rely on Wade to win them games now, so they all have to step up and play. I think earlier in the season Wade was really the only one that cared and played hard but now the rest of the players are playing better because they don't have their safety net in Wade.
no hes not overrated, Miami is just pulling out close games..cause they have all vets, and EJ has been great for them.People hate on Wade to much though, so what he gets a bunch of free throws...points are points no matter how oyu get them. And people say he has privilages because hes Wade...but every star, which every team as, has those privilages. And Wade is the best penetrator down the lane in the world...of course hes going to get alotve free throws.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dmoney @ Mar 11 2007, 11:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't think Wade is overrated, I think the reason why the heat are playing better without Wade right now is that the rest of the guys know they can't rely on Wade to win them games now, so they all have to step up and play. I think earlier in the season Wade was really the only one that cared and played hard but now the rest of the players are playing better because they don't have their safety net in Wade.</div>No. Now that Wade is gone, the rest of the team is allowed to play how they know how. They feel more comfortable and care more like you said because they know feel more apart of the team. They are contributing more because more is expected out of them now. They have the freedom to play like they know how compared to when they have Wade and have to take the backseat. Now that Shaq is the first option, he is showing that he is still the dominant player that he was a couple seasons ago. Wade is overrated, and the record that Miami has had since he has gone down has proven it. Much like the lakers did poorly without Shaq, the Heat did. And much like the lakers did fine without Kobe when he went down, the Heat seem to be doing the same thing.
Not at all... he came into the league in the shadows of Bron and Melo and succeeded first. He is not overrated in any way if you ask me.
-No, I do not think he is overrated. The first half of the year Walker, JWill and Posey were in and out, Walker and Payton having HORRIBLE shooting numbers, Shaq was out, Riley was out, team wa susing players like Kapono for the first time and took them a while to mesh, and the team was just slow and looked like it had a major hangover from the Finals. When Wade went out, Zo said it best...it forced other players to step up, especially defensively. It forced Shaq to step up his play. When Wade went out, it was like the first game everyone was healthy, they just got Eddie Jones, Shaq had been back for a few games, Riley just came back, and the team was just starting to mesh again. Aside from team success, I think Wade is a great scorer, very underrated playmaker, good rebounder, amazing help defender, and next to Kobe is about as good as you can get in the clutch. -It all depends on Shaq. If he can keep up this level of play, then I can see them being over .500 until Wade comes back. I don't think they will be this good for the whole time until Wade gets back, but being over .500 is definately within their reach.
The thing I want to point out, is that everyone is saying that it "forced" other players to step up. And I definitely think that people are saying this in the wrong way. With Wade there, it is forcing other players to take a step down, and that is very apparent considering how well everyone is doing without him. Especially Shaq....Right before Wade got injured, and both were playing at the same time, Shaq wasnt doing then what he is doing now....And that is becasue he has the freedom to play his own game, and not take a backseat to Wade.And Nitro, dont look at the first half of the year. Look at the last 15 games before Wade got injured....Most of the players were healthy then (if I remember correctly), and they werent doing as well with both him and Shaq in there as to when just Shaq is in there.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Mar 11 2007, 10:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The thing I want to point out, is that everyone is saying that it "forced" other players to step up. And I definitely think that people are saying this in the wrong way. With Wade there, it is forcing other players to take a step down, and that is very apparent considering how well everyone is doing without him. Especially Shaq....Right before Wade got injured, and both were playing at the same time, Shaq wasnt doing then what he is doing now....And that is becasue he has the freedom to play his own game, and not take a backseat to Wade.And Nitro, dont look at the first half of the year. Look at the last 15 games before Wade got injured....Most of the players were healthy then (if I remember correctly), and they werent doing as well with both him and Shaq in there as to when just Shaq is in there.</div>That is not true. With Shaq it is true, he does have to take a backseat, but the other players were in the same roles they are with Shaq. When in adversity, players step up. Look at the effort they are putting in (role players) compared to first few games of season with Shaq in lineup, and his first few games back. They are stepping up their energy level, level of play, and playing inspired basketball. This is a veteran team with a veteran coach, and they know without the player who averages 29/8/5/2, others need to step up. Those last 15 games they didn't have Riley, Shaq was JUST coming back/still injured, Walker and Posey were just coming back, Williams was just coming ba, and they got Eddie Jones at the tail end of those games. There was no consistency with all the injuries, and it was like this the whole time Wade was in the lineup. In the past 8-10 games, everyone has been on the roster, getting healthy, and playing inspired basketball. Despite everything happenning around Wade, they were still a few games above .500 with him in the lineup, and he was averaging 29/8/5/2 on 50% shooting. He was the first player in like 10 years to put up 30/12 in 3 straight games. In a 2 week span he outscore dboth San Antonio and Cleveland in the 4th quarter by himself. I can't put too much blame on him.
Lots of hate for players going around lately. Who's the next overrated player? Good thread though, I may chime in later when I'm not watching TV.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Mar 12 2007, 12:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That is not true. With Shaq it is true, he does have to take a backseat, but the other players were in the same roles they are with Shaq. When in adversity, players step up. Look at the effort they are putting in (role players) compared to first few games of season with Shaq in lineup, and his first few games back. They are stepping up their energy level, level of play, and playing inspired basketball. This is a veteran team with a veteran coach, and they know without the player who averages 29/8/5/2, others need to step up. Those last 15 games they didn't have Riley, Shaq was JUST coming back/still injured, Walker and Posey were just coming back, Williams was just coming ba, and they got Eddie Jones at the tail end of those games. There was no consistency with all the injuries, and it was like this the whole time Wade was in the lineup. In the past 8-10 games, everyone has been on the roster, getting healthy, and playing inspired basketball. Despite everything happenning around Wade, they were still a few games above .500 with him in the lineup, and he was averaging 29/8/5/2 on 50% shooting. He was the first player in like 10 years to put up 30/12 in 3 straight games. In a 2 week span he outscore dboth San Antonio and Cleveland in the 4th quarter by himself. I can't put too much blame on him.</div>You honestly cannot use injuries and the fact that they didnt have thier head coach for everything. It isnt a coincidence that the role players on that team and Shaq start doing a whole lot better, and the teams record improves the game that Wade goes down....Without Wade in the lineup, they are allowed to play how they know how like I said before. They might have beeen a little injured, but its not like they all got 100 percent healthy the first couple games that Wade left. The players were faced with adversity when Shaq went down in the beginning of the season, and they didnt step up nearly as much as they are right now....You can call it injuries, or without a headcoach, or whatever you want to call it. But the fact of the matter is, the Heat are doing better without Wade, and they are doing better having Shaq as their first option. I think that I phrased the title wrong. Wade isnt overrated skillwise, because I think he is a very talented player. But, I find it odd that when a talented player like Wade goes down, the heat dont only keep the same pace as when they had Wade, but they step it up a notch and do even better. Now you can call it "they rose to the occassion", but where were these guys when they had Wade and no Shaq? Its not the fact that they didnt rise to the occassion then, but its because they werent allowed to because they were playing with Wade.Shaq is not only the most valuable player on the Heat roster, and he has proven it the last 8 games.
I think Wade is massively overrated. Now I dont watch the Heat as much as I do other elite teams with good players (Lebron, Kobe) I cant make that comparison fairly well. But I can say from what I have seen that both Lebron and Kobe are better. I also believe that Wade throws himself at the bucket wherever there is possible contact to get a foul. Now the game is not necassarily rigged by the refs, but he just attacks the rim doing any flip twist or shimey hoping to get a foul. I dont like his shooting, and is it surprising he has scored nearly as many free throws as he has field goals? I dont think so. You cant build your f*ckin game around the free throw line.
I dont think anybody in their right mind can say Wade is better than Kobe and/or LeBron. His shot is fine, he cant shoot threes as well, but his midrange game is killer. And you mention the free throw line, so what...points are points. If you get your team 28ppg off the damn free throw line..so be it. Its not who shoots the three or gets the dunks who wins...its the team with the most points...if going to the foul line every play gets you the most points...its working. And doing so got him a ring...nothing wrong with that.
By no means is Wade overrated. I'm being saying all along that Shaq can carry that team, and Wade can't. In a battle of Wade or James, I got lame post saying Wade's cast around him isn't good. Well, it has to be some what good enough for them to be in the 6th seed without him. Shaq is doing something Wade couldn't do. And thats put this team above the 500 mark. Wade isn't overrated, he is one of the best in the NBA. But IMO Shaq makes that team. I know people say Shaq is nothing without Wade, or Kobe Bryant. Well ditto the same thing.
completely agree....you hardly ever find a guard who can carry a team. Only the Bryant, MJs and LeBrons can really do that..IMO, Wade isnt on the level...atleast not yet.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Mar 12 2007, 03:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>By no means is Wade overrated. I'm being saying all along that Shaq can carry that team, and Wade can't. In a battle of Wade or James, I got lame post saying Wade's cast around him isn't good. Well, it has to be some what good enough for them to be in the 6th seed without him. Shaq is doing something Wade couldn't do. And thats put this team above the 500 mark. Wade isn't overrated, he is one of the best in the NBA. But IMO Shaq makes that team. I know people say Shaq is nothing without Wade, or Kobe Bryant. Well ditto the same thing.</div>When Shaq played for the Lakers, and Kobe Bryant went down with an injury or what not, the team always did fine considering his absense. When Shaq went down, the team fell apart. 4 years later, Shaq is much worse and it is the same thing....Wade got 99 percent of the credit for the Heat winning the finals last year and that is where he becomes overrated. Shaq is what makes that team, and without him, they are merely a 500 ball club. Wade is overrated. He is a good player, but he cant carry a team like Shaq can.
Saying the Heat doing well without Wade puts into question his value...thats ridiculous. The Heat are playing for they're playoff lives and playing for Wade, Wade is not overrated at all.
Wade is definately not overrated I mean Shaq is one of the best centers to ever play the game so it's not too surprising they are doing good w/o him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrewCityBuck @ Mar 12 2007, 02:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Saying the Heat doing well without Wade puts into question his value...thats ridiculous. The Heat are playing for they're playoff lives and playing for Wade, Wade is not overrated at all.</div>Well, when they had Wade and no Shaq, they werent doing near as good as they are right now, so how is questioning his value ridiculous? Obviously the team is better with both players there, but look at how they are playing right now. Playing for their playoff lives? Then what would you call the first 2/3rds of the season? I guess they werent looking to make the playoffs then, and the players didnt care then. But once Wade goes down, they all of a sudden start trying harder and start playing better? Im sorry, but that is a retarted excuse. Like I have been saying, Wade being out allows the other players to play thier own game instead of having to watch Wade try and do it all himself.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Mar 11 2007, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You honestly cannot use injuries and the fact that they didnt have thier head coach for everything. It isnt a coincidence that the role players on that team and Shaq start doing a whole lot better, and the teams record improves the game that Wade goes down....Without Wade in the lineup, they are allowed to play how they know how like I said before. They might have beeen a little injured, but its not like they all got 100 percent healthy the first couple games that Wade left.</div>It isn't just their injuries hindering their play, but it is the inconsistency of their health (if this makes sense at all). It wasn't until mid-February that everyone was somewhat healthy and playing togetheth. You keep saying that, "Oh, they were 8-7 in last 15 games before Wade's injury" but fail to realize that they were 7-1 in his last 8 games before injury. This somewhat shows the team just starting to get healthy and mesh together. With all the injuries in first half of the year, there was no consistency, no time for players to step back into the roles they had last year (a year in which they won the NBA title with Wade as first option), and it was just a mess. Despite all with Wade had to go through, he carried his team to a 25-21 record when he played, and up until his recent injury they were 1-7 without him. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The players were faced with adversity when Shaq went down in the beginning of the season, and they didnt step up nearly as much as they are right now....You can call it injuries, or without a headcoach, or whatever you want to call it. But the fact of the matter is, the Heat are doing better without Wade, and they are doing better having Shaq as their first option.</div>Look at the energy level from when Shaq first went out to when Wade went out. First of all a large portion of the team was injured when Shaq went out, and they just came off a title victory. They know that Wade is a much bigger spot to fill than Wade's, and I just suggest looking at the swagger they are playing with now compared to beginning of season 9with or without Shaq).<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I think that I phrased the title wrong. Wade isnt overrated skillwise, because I think he is a very talented player. But, I find it odd that when a talented player like Wade goes down, the heat dont only keep the same pace as when they had Wade, but they step it up a notch and do even better. Now you can call it "they rose to the occassion", but where were these guys when they had Wade and no Shaq? Its not the fact that they didnt rise to the occassion then, but its because they werent allowed to because they were playing with Wade.Shaq is not only the most valuable player on the Heat roster, and he has proven it the last 8 games.</div>You are using a small sample size and not looking at all the facts to make this decision on Wade. Bron's team is 4-0 when he is either out or scores less than 11pts. Kobe's team was doing VERY well without him our or with a fairly small role when he was injured. Bottom line is lets see how this plays out without WadeThey have the SAME roles that they did with Wade in lineup. There are only 2 major differences between when Shaq went out, and then when Wade went out: 1) Everyone is now healthy and playing consistently (Shaq, Williams, Posey, Walker, etc...), 2) They are stepping up their D big time. Shaq has picked up a lot of the slack without Wade there, but everyone being healthy (especially Williams) and picking up their play is what has made the team successful for the past 16 games (first 8 with Wade, last 8 without Wade).
