Dwyane Wade and LeBron James will face off for the final time when the Miami Heat visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. The close friends have shared the court many times since coming into the league in 2003, including for four years as teammates in Miami.
With Wade set to retire at the conclusion of the season, Monday’s contest at Staples Center represents the final chapter in their story. Not surprisingly, Wade is impressed with the job that James has done since joining the Lakers in the offseason, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.
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“I know the caliber of player he is, the work he puts in, the IQ he has of the game, all of that,” Wade said. “I think the thing is how quickly — and they’re going to grow so much more — but how quickly he’s been able to get this team turned around early in the season, to get them where they’re one of the top teams in the West and knowing that they’re going to continue to grow.”
Wade also pointed to the youth of the Lakers, calling it “just incredible” that James has the young squad playing consistently and intelligently. The Lakers are off to a 16-10 start, a year after finishing 35-47.
While Wade is calling it quits after his 16th NBA season, James will keep playing a while longer. The four-time MVP signed a four-year contract in July, which will take him through his 19th season.
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