This is seriously starting to get me to think lately. First off, I am not a bandwagoner. I have liked Wade since he played with Marquette. I think you can make a very high case that Wade is on the same talent level, or above LeBron James. He can score, rebound, pass, and in my opinion, plays better defense. They put up almost similar statistics. So, let's get a nice debate started: Is Dwyane Wade a better player than LeBron James? Why or why not?
He is not BETTER, but he definitly proved in the last 2 months that he's on the same level as LeBron, with or without Shaq (Keep in mind Shaq's presence has improved Wade's mentality tremendously). People who're claiming LeBron is ahead of Wade are kidding themselves. He's the ONLY player in history to average 25 8 8 in 2 consecutive Playoffs series , that's big. Anyway you look at it, Wade is AS good as LeBron, if not better!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">He is not BETTER, but he definitly proved in the last 2 months that he's on the same level as LeBron, with or without Shaq (Keep in mind Shaq's presence has improved Wade's mentality tremendously). People who're claiming LeBron is ahead of Wade are kidding themselves. He's the ONLY player in history to average 25 8 8 in 2 consecutive Playoffs series , that's big. Anyway you look at it, Wade is AS good as LeBron, if not better!!</div> I'm sure that Lebron would have put up better numbers than Wade if he was in the playoffs. In his last 10 games he averaged 32 pts, 10 rebs, 7 assists, and 2 steals and those numbers improve even more in the last 5 games. Oh, and Lebron isn't playing with Shaq. Lebron is also more physically gifted, he can play three positions, and he has to play the whole game to keep his team in the game. Wade also hasn't faced any tough defenders yet in the playoffs, Larry Hughes is solid but he really only gets steals and doesn't shut down his man. Wade is good but he's not better than Tracy McGrady or Lebron and arguably Kobe or AI.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sure that Lebron would have put up better numbers than Wade if he was in the playoffs. In his last 10 games he averaged 32 pts, 10 rebs, 7 assists, and 2 steals and those numbers improve even more in the last 5 games. Oh, and Lebron isn't playing with Shaq. Lebron is also more physically gifted, he can play three positions, and he has to play the whole game to keep his team in the game. Wade also hasn't faced any tough defenders yet in the playoffs, Larry Hughes is solid but he really only gets steals and doesn't shut down his man. Wade is good but he's not better than Tracy McGrady or Lebron and arguably Kobe or AI.</div> Larry Hughes and Jason Kidd are not tough defenders? To me, even though Eddie Jordan admittidly said they spent many hours watching tapes to try to slow him down, and he was still able to do whatever he wanted and put up insane numbers without Shaq for two games winning both of them, that's superstar level. I didn't say he's better than LeBron, but he's definitly at the same level at least. Last year, Wade led his team to the playoffs, and LeBron didn't. That's another indication.
IMO they both are on the same level, you can also add, however, bron is younger then wade by like 4 years or something, but still imo their the same level because they both similar effects on the game, put up similar stats, and right now they are even.
Not to mention, with what Purple Fever said about his statistics. Did you see who he was with in averaging that? Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson and Julius Erving, just to name a few. It's not fair to say Wade is better based on him making the Playoffs. Last year he had Odom, who was playing awesome. This year he has O'Neal. But even without them, he is still amazing. I'm agreeing in saying he is as good as James.
Right now, I would say they are at the same level. If you say Wade is at the same level than LeBron right now, because of Shaq, than that's a weak arguement. Look at the past 2 games, Wade has absolutely been amazing. Besides him, the rest of the Heat aren't that talented, average at best, and he's still managed to lead the Heat to victories over the 5th seeded Wizards, who have a much more talented team that the Shaq-less Heat. Flash has managed to take his game up to another level in the playoffs, and he's done so thus far.
You really can't decipher who is better out of the two because both of them are in different situations. Pound for pound I think LeBron is better but not by much, with Wade though he has an ability to take over the game which I haven?t' seen LeBron do as much as him.
Wade and LeBron are my two favorite players. I still think LeBron is slightly better, but not much better than Wade. Wade is an amazing player, but I'm not sold on him playing at this high of a level without Shaq for a whole season, not just a couple games. He is a considerably better defender than LBJ, I'll give him that. But I think both are gonna go down as legends.
They are different players, I think Wade has a more competitive spirit right now. I see a real passion in Wade, and I think that is what makes Wade a more appealing player to me than Lebron. I prefer Wade over LBJ. Wade seems to instill this passion throughout his team too. He plays really hard on the court and the entire Miami supporting cast seems to follow suit. Maybe when Lebron gets older he will have the same effect as Wade.
I reckon Wade is a better all round player, although maybe that hasn't shown so much this season, as LeBron has had to carry the cavs as a leader, whilst Wade has the more than adequate help of a certain Mr O'Neal.
Category: Scoring...advantage LeBron Rebounding...LeBron Passing...LeBron Defense...Wade Leadership...EVEN Intangibles...Wade While I think that LeBron is the best player in the league, Wade surely isn't far behind, and he's proven that, like all the all-time greats, he elevates his performance in the playoffs. I think that in the coming years this will continue to be a great debate. LeBron is going to have to get to the playoffs, however, before we can truly match them up, because Wade has been awesome both years in the playoffs. That speaks volumes for a player, and bumps his status up even closer to LeBron.
I agree with all your rankings except one, Schaddy. I would put 'passing' as even. They are both extremely gifted passers, great vision is heard to come by. Yeah, great players do elevate their games in the Playoffs. That's why it will be fun to see James in the Playoffs, whenever that time may come.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with all your rankings except one, Schaddy. I would put 'passing' as even. They are both extremely gifted passers, great vision is heard to come by. Yeah, great players do elevate their games in the Playoffs. That's why it will be fun to see James in the Playoffs, whenever that time may come.</div> i really debated about the passing category, cuz obviously, wade averages close to 7 per and isn't really even a true point. he's awesome, but i think that james is awesome +1 his open-court and fast break awareness and passing ability at his age is just incredible. i don't mean to short change wade by that ranking, cuz he's outstanding, it's just that james is out of his mind. he's incredible.
Wade still has a lot of areas to improve on. Think about it: Inconsistant Jumpshot (LeBron's is better) No 3pt Game (Amazing he doesn't score any points from the 3) Turnovers (Far too many) Decision Making (LeBron's is better) Playmaking (LeBron's is better) Upper Body Strength (LeBron can overpower his defender) Wade still has a long way to go before he can be considered a polished product like LeBron is. Also, Wade is famous for his playoff peformances. Let's atleast wait for LeBron to make the playoffs before we make the comparison.
I think it's obvious and I'm surprised people are just noticing this. Wade has always been on the same as James.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">Larry Hughes and Jason Kidd are not tough defenders? To me, even though Eddie Jordan admittidly said they spent many hours watching tapes to try to slow him down, and he was still able to do whatever he wanted and put up insane numbers without Shaq for two games winning both of them, that's superstar level. I didn't say he's better than LeBron, but he's definitly at the same level at least. Last year, Wade led his team to the playoffs, and LeBron didn't. That's another indication.</div> IMO Larry Hughes isnt a shut-down defender, he may get alot of steals but he doesn't stop good players form scoring. Kidd is a little slow these days and I'm not sure that Kidd was guarding Wade (though Im not sure). Wade had Odom and Butler last year while Lebron had Boozer, who is good but hes no veteran nor is he a leader. I like to watch Wade but I dont think he is at LeBron's level.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">IMO Larry Hughes isnt a shut-down defender, he may get alot of steals but he doesn't stop good players form scoring. Kidd is a little slow these days and I'm not sure that Kidd was guarding Wade (though Im not sure). Wade had Odom and Butler last year while Lebron had Boozer, who is good but hes no veteran nor is he a leader. I like to watch Wade but I dont think he is at LeBron's level.</div>What about Illgauskus? Also Darius Miles/Jeff McInnis? LeBron's had the supporting cast to get the playoffs for both seasons. And how come Kobe didn't make the playoffs with Odom and Butler?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Schaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">Category: Scoring...advantage LeBron Rebounding...LeBron Passing...LeBron Defense...Wade Leadership...EVEN Intangibles...Wade While I think that LeBron is the best player in the league, Wade surely isn't far behind, and he's proven that, like all the all-time greats, he elevates his performance in the playoffs. I think that in the coming years this will continue to be a great debate. LeBron is going to have to get to the playoffs, however, before we can truly match them up, because Wade has been awesome both years in the playoffs. That speaks volumes for a player, and bumps his status up even closer to LeBron.</div> LeBron the best player in the league? How can you be the best player in the league and not have made the playoffs? Wade has made the playoffs in both of his first two seasons where as LeBron has not. Then people say Wade had a better team, but in his first season he took basically the same team Kobe had this year into the second round of the playoffs and Kobe couldn't even get them into the playoffs. IMO right now Wade is the better player.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rockets_1:</div><div class="quote_post">LeBron the best player in the league? How can you be the best player in the league and not have made the playoffs? Wade has made the playoffs in both of his first two seasons where as LeBron has not. Then people say Wade had a better team, but in his first season he took basically the same team Kobe had this year into the second round of the playoffs and Kobe couldn't even get them into the playoffs. IMO right now Wade is the better player.</div> basketball is still a team game dude. lebron's team tanked, i think that's beyond argument. he was still outstanding. he's amazing. he's the best player in the league. just because he hasn't gotten to the playoffs doesn't mean that he isn't the best. it would help, but it doesn't automatically rule him out. to me, there is no one better than lebron.
