Bleacher Report today released their 50 greatest NBA players list with a former Miami Heat superstar taking his place among the league’s elite.
Dwyane Wade, who retired from professional basketball last April, was ranked by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey as the 21st best player in NBA history. Bailey shared in the article what his criteria was for the ranking which included a number of factors.
“As has been the case throughout this series, the criteria were mostly subjective, though heavily influenced by both basic and advanced statistics,” wrote Bailey.
“Catch-all metrics like box plus/minus (available from the 1973-74 season on) and win shares per 48 minutes came into play. And you’ll see pace- and playing-time-adjusted numbers (in the form of ‘per 75 possessions’). But intangibles have to be factored into these conversations, as well.”
The Marquette University alum had career averages of 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. In just his third season in the league, Wade carried the Heat to their first-ever NBA championship in 2006. Even with the great Shaquille O’Neal on the roster, it was Wade’s show in the Finals as he captured Finals MVP honors.
That was just the beginning of a long and storied career, one that spanned 16 long and fruitful years.
“And by the end of his career, Wade was a 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, three-time champion, three-time All-Defensive selection, one-time Finals MVP and one-time scoring champ,” Bailey explained.
“He’s the all-time leader in blocks among guards. He’s 29th all-time, regardless of position, in both points and steals, 41st in assists and 25th in wins over replacement player.”
Considered by many as the Heat’s greatest player of all time, Bailey ranked Wade right behind Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as the third greatest shooting guard ever.