Is Wade completely done as an impact player?

[johnnygreen]

When the Cavs signed Wade, I thought it was a mistake and would only hurt their team chemistry. The guy was a shell of himself last season on a mediocre team. He simply can't be relied upon as a key contributor to a championship caliber team on a consistent basis.

The thing is, Wade is so far down the totem poll in Cleveland he doesn't have to consistently perform.  If he just gives them 1 in 3 games, that will be good enough.  If he is playing awful, you just keep him on the bench or at least significantly cut back minutes, and then you just ride him on the nights he is playing well. That is what you do with 4th, 5th, 6th options and that is what Wade is.

Problem is I don't think Wade sees himself as that.

Of course he does.

I think Wade still considers himself a star player like LeBron and Love. When the Cavs have nationally broadcasted games, he will want to be treated and respected like that star player. He will take off and coast during those other games to rest his body. Come playoff time, he will demand to start. He will basically be a washed up "prime time Rajon Rondo".

[Moranis]

When the Cavs signed Wade, I thought it was a mistake and would only hurt their team chemistry. The guy was a shell of himself last season on a mediocre team. He simply can't be relied upon as a key contributor to a championship caliber team on a consistent basis.

The thing is, Wade is so far down the totem poll in Cleveland he doesn't have to consistently perform.  If he just gives them 1 in 3 games, that will be good enough.  If he is playing awful, you just keep him on the bench or at least significantly cut back minutes, and then you just ride him on the nights he is playing well. That is what you do with 4th, 5th, 6th options and that is what Wade is.

Problem is I don't think Wade sees himself as that.

Of course he does.

I think Wade still considers himself a star player like LeBron and Love. When the Cavs have nationally broadcasted games, he will want to be treated and respected like that star player. He will take off and coast during those other games to rest his body. Come playoff time, he will demand to start. He will basically be a washed up "prime time Rajon Rondo".

except there is absolutely no evidence of any of that.  Wade's statements and conduct thus far have yielded the opposite conclusion.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Saving him for the playoffs, he's the type that can give you a little something then. Just one "Wade" game can change a series. You just can't expect more at this point but I hope they are relying on him for more! Bring them down Wade! Bulls needed more, cavs should be thinking, one huge playoff game to get us over the hump.

[moiso]

When the Cavs signed Wade, I thought it was a mistake and would only hurt their team chemistry. The guy was a shell of himself last season on a mediocre team. He simply can't be relied upon as a key contributor to a championship caliber team on a consistent basis.

The thing is, Wade is so far down the totem poll in Cleveland he doesn't have to consistently perform.  If he just gives them 1 in 3 games, that will be good enough.  If he is playing awful, you just keep him on the bench or at least significantly cut back minutes, and then you just ride him on the nights he is playing well. That is what you do with 4th, 5th, 6th options and that is what Wade is.

Problem is I don't think Wade sees himself as that.

Of course he does.

I think Wade still considers himself a star player like LeBron and Love. When the Cavs have nationally broadcasted games, he will want to be treated and respected like that star player. He will take off and coast during those other games to rest his body. Come playoff time, he will demand to start. He will basically be a washed up "prime time Rajon Rondo".

except there is absolutely no evidence of any of that.  Wade's statements and conduct thus far have yielded the opposite conclusion.

I agree with you.  Wade knows what he is now.  He knows he doesn't have much to give.

[celticsclay]

When the Cavs signed Wade, I thought it was a mistake and would only hurt their team chemistry. The guy was a shell of himself last season on a mediocre team. He simply can't be relied upon as a key contributor to a championship caliber team on a consistent basis.

The thing is, Wade is so far down the totem poll in Cleveland he doesn't have to consistently perform.  If he just gives them 1 in 3 games, that will be good enough.  If he is playing awful, you just keep him on the bench or at least significantly cut back minutes, and then you just ride him on the nights he is playing well. That is what you do with 4th, 5th, 6th options and that is what Wade is.

Problem is I don't think Wade sees himself as that.

Of course he does.

I think Wade still considers himself a star player like LeBron and Love. When the Cavs have nationally broadcasted games, he will want to be treated and respected like that star player. He will take off and coast during those other games to rest his body. Come playoff time, he will demand to start. He will basically be a washed up "prime time Rajon Rondo".

except there is absolutely no evidence of any of that.  Wade's statements and conduct thus far have yielded the opposite conclusion.

I agree with you.  Wade knows what he is now.  He knows he doesn't have much to give.

Hmm he would kind of be the first professional athlete that didn't think they had a little bit longer than they do. That is something every athlete has kind of said that I have seen interviewed over the years about the end of their career. The game lets you know, you don't know. I do agree with Moranis that his conduct and statements have been good. I would find it hard to believe he doesn't think he has a little more left than he does in his own mind.

[Moranis]

When the Cavs signed Wade, I thought it was a mistake and would only hurt their team chemistry. The guy was a shell of himself last season on a mediocre team. He simply can't be relied upon as a key contributor to a championship caliber team on a consistent basis.

The thing is, Wade is so far down the totem poll in Cleveland he doesn't have to consistently perform.  If he just gives them 1 in 3 games, that will be good enough.  If he is playing awful, you just keep him on the bench or at least significantly cut back minutes, and then you just ride him on the nights he is playing well. That is what you do with 4th, 5th, 6th options and that is what Wade is.

Problem is I don't think Wade sees himself as that.

Of course he does.

I think Wade still considers himself a star player like LeBron and Love. When the Cavs have nationally broadcasted games, he will want to be treated and respected like that star player. He will take off and coast during those other games to rest his body. Come playoff time, he will demand to start. He will basically be a washed up "prime time Rajon Rondo".

except there is absolutely no evidence of any of that.  Wade's statements and conduct thus far have yielded the opposite conclusion.

I agree with you.  Wade knows what he is now.  He knows he doesn't have much to give.

Hmm he would kind of be the first professional athlete that didn't think they had a little bit longer than they do. That is something every athlete has kind of said that I have seen interviewed over the years about the end of their career. The game lets you know, you don't know. I do agree with Moranis that his conduct and statements have been good. I would find it hard to believe he doesn't think he has a little more left than he does in his own mind.

Wade has always been that type of player though.  I mean he willingly ceded control of the Heat to James when James signed there.  How many superstars would do that?  And I'm sure Wade thinks he has more left then he probably actually has left, I just believe he knows that he isn't still a top level player any more. 

[nickagneta]

Wade hasn't been an impact player since he left Miami.

[tazzmaniac]

Wade hasn't been an impact player since he left Miami.

He didn't have star level impact for his last few Miami years.  Their team +/- was better with him off the court.  He's not even a good role player impact now.  The Cavs are basically hoping he occasionally provides a situation impact. 
 

[SHAQATTACK]

i hope he goes back to heat and signs a five year contract . 

[timpiker]

As long as his defender plays tough and stays in front of him - put a fork in DWade. 

[jdz101]

In short - yes. He's cooked.

[Phantom255x]

Which makes it all the more funnier when some in the media thought adding Wade helped "close the gap quite a bit" between Cleveland and Golden State 

"His veteran leadership. His championship pedigree. Warriors should be frightened"

Put a young team out there and they'll just blow by Wade every single time, on offense AND defense.

[Moranis]

Another solid game in their loss last night. Seems to be playing a lot better coming off the bench

[celticsclay]

Another solid game in their loss last night. Seems to be playing a lot better coming off the bench

Cavs get blown out by pelicans, but hey wade got some stats lol

[Big333223]

Wade as a starter (3 games): 5.7 ppg on .280/.333 with 2.7 TO's in 23.6 mpg.

Wade off the bench (3 games): 10.7 ppg on .577/.333 with 1.3 TO's in 22 mpg.

Which confirms what everyone in the world except Ty Lue/Lebron knew going into this season: Wade should be coming off the bench. He's still got something left as a bench leader for 20-24 mpg.