<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post">While I agree that Wade is not a stellar defender in the same level as Artest, Bowen, Big Ben, etc. he's at least an elite defender, above average and of course better than Lebron. I truly believe he will develop into a real nice 1on1 defender a la Gary Payton (minus the constant trash talking). Dwyane Wade averages 1.1bpg as a guard. He leads all NBA guards in bpg and the closest competition in guards? Paul Pierce at 0.6bpg lower and 2 inches taller.</div> The blocks will almost certainly go down down the road. Athletic wing players often get lots of blocks early in their career (eg. Carter, Jordan, McGrady) and in a few years it tends to go way down once they decide to conserve energy on defense. I like making wild predictions based off little information, so here goes: Wade's numbers (avg) in the coming years: 26 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg, 48% from field, 83% from the line, 2 spg, 0.6 bpg LeBron's numbers (avg) in the coming years: 29 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg, 46% from the field, 82% from the line, 2 spg, .8 bpg I think LeBron's offensive game will start looking more and more like Kobe's or TMac's (more and more perimeter shots). He might start learning Kobe's tricks for drawing fouls as well. I expect his defense to improve (though perhaps not as quickly or dramatically as Wade's), and for him to become more of a scorer, less of a playmaker as he gets better guards to play with him. I don't expect Wade to develop a significant 3-point shooting game, but I think he'll perfect his midrange game. He'll also become more of a scorer, less of a playmaker (particularly as Shaq becomes less and less a focal point in the offense). He'll soon be regarded as a top defensive player as well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">The blocks will almost certainly go down down the road. Athletic wing players often get lots of blocks early in their career (eg. Carter, Jordan, McGrady) and in a few years it tends to go way down once they decide to conserve energy on defense. I like making wild predictions based off little information, so here goes: Wade's numbers (avg) in the coming years: 26 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg, 48% from field, 83% from the line, 2 spg, 0.6 bpg LeBron's numbers (avg) in the coming years: 29 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg, 46% from the field, 82% from the line, 2 spg, .8 bpg I think LeBron's offensive game will start looking more and more like Kobe's or TMac's (more and more perimeter shots). He might start learning Kobe's tricks for drawing fouls as well. I expect his defense to improve (though perhaps not as quickly or dramatically as Wade's), and for him to become more of a scorer, less of a playmaker as he gets better guards to play with him. I don't expect Wade to develop a significant 3-point shooting game, but I think he'll perfect his midrange game. He'll also become more of a scorer, less of a playmaker (particularly as Shaq becomes less and less a focal point in the offense). He'll soon be regarded as a top defensive player as well.</div> Very good predictions Durvasa, I agree with most of your points except the playmaking part on Wade. I think Dwyane will remain the same in terms of his playmaking skills and game. He's got that knack to score but at the same time, has no problem dishing it off for better shots. Also, I wasn't expecting Wade to average 1.1 bpg for the rest of his career, but I think he'll level off in the 0.8 area. I brought this point up solely to show that Wade is a better defender than Lebron is. You hit it right on the nail when talking about Lebron's spg number. While Lebron is a better "team defender", Wade is the better on-ball defender. Also, like you mentioned, Wade spends just as much of his energy on the defensive end as he does on the offensive end - another indication that Wade plays with alot more intensity and energy than Lebron.
Nice post, Durvasa. I agree with almost all of those predicted statistics. You said it right, Wade isn't going to average a block per game. Right now he is full of energy and wild. When he gains more experience, he will start conserving more energy for offense. It will also depend on if he has a decent backup guard so he can get more rest.
Sorry Lebron is not <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 is NOT THE BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE! I hate when people over hype this kid. He still has yet to reach the playoffs for crying out loud. Yes, he's talented, but to say that he's better than Kobe, Duncan, Garnett, or Tmac, you can't be serious!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rockfan06:</div><div class="quote_post">Lebron is NOT THE BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE! I hate when people over hype this kid. He still has yet to reach the playoffs for crying out loud. Yes, he's talented, but to say that he's better than Kobe, Duncan, Garnett, or Tmac, you can't be serious!</div> Right on the money. Lebron can be way overhyped sometimes, first off calling the best player in the league is ridiculous when he hasnt even made the playoffs when wade has already been there twice. IM not saying Wade is the best player in the league, but i havent seen Lebron do as much as wade has for his team.
Lebron lacks the KILLER INSTINCT that Kobe, Tmac, and yes, Wade has. Lebron is good. But still VERY far from Great.
Im a big fan of wade but i think wade is better but wade is gonna have more rings if shaq stays with wade
Valid points by the last few posters. Wade is better than Lebron on defense but i dont see Wade beating Lebron in any other categories except maybe FT%. I like Wade but I dont see him being as good as Lebron, what more could Lebron physically or mentally do down the stretch of the season? Lebron has a killer instinct, he just doesn't have Shaq drawing double teams and not allowing anyone to double-team anyone else, or Eddie Jones and Damon Jones nailing 3's, or a half-way decent bench. Wade is good but put Wade in Lebron's situation and where do you think the Cavs would be? If Lebron played with Shaq there would be no doubt who would win the championship, there would be no discussion of the Spurs/Suns/Pistons even coming close.
