Why Isn’t Dwade ever mentioned in the same breath as the other Freak Athletes?

[Guess Who]

I actually think y’all are overrating Wade as an athlete. Terrific athlete but not in that tier of generational athletes. Wade was strong and very crafty but to compare to the guys listed in the OP is to not give proper respect to that list of players imo.

I’m with @CHICAGO on this one.

 

[noodles]

No DWade, no Lebron rings..

 

[Shadow King]

His leap wasn't that high he was explosive off the ground. Everything else was elite.

 

[fifth column]

He is. Wade was the closest thing to MJ athletically as a 2 guard, even more explosive than Bean from a pure physical ability standpoint.

Nah, Afro Bean could get up

 

[stepbackj34spud]

Congrats to wade for getting to play with great players in his physical prime.

 

[CarltonJunior]

No clue

D.Wade is sort of underrated for some reason

I think it’s common knowledge he’s the 3rd greatest SG ever though. Lebron probably never wins a ring without him..

Interesting take, and it might be true. Cavs never get Kyrie/Love if LeBron doesn't leave them and get like 4 #1 picks in a row.

But I think LeBron would've found a way to win one forming a superteam with someone else if not Wade.

 

[mbewane]

 

[O.T.I.S.]

It really is amazing how much quicker he was pre 2012, and he was still killing teams most nights. To answer OP I don’t think lateral quickness gets considered the way it should, and neither does midair body control. His speed was off the charts too though. Go look up his steal and then going coast to coast in game 2 against the sixers that season. He even left LeBron in the dust that play.

Wade wasn't necessarily a fast dude off top, dude was just quick and shifty. Eventually it wasn't athleticism he relied on, Wade was (and is still) just shifty and quick compared to the average person. He just got hurt and It happens to a lot of old nikkas that were athletes but get worn out. They're no longer "fast" for NBA but they're still quick and can see shyt happen before it does... it happens in danm near every sport

 

[steph_harden]

Nah, Afro Bean could get up

He could but it’s not just your vertical that determines you athleticism. Dexterity, agility and body control also play and a role. And only MJ above Wade in that combination

 

[Trot LaRoc]

Wasnt the highest jumper but his explosion off the ground was crazy.

Tha fact he is 2nd in blokks by a SG all time as a dude who was basically 6'3" should tell you something

 

[010101]

he didn't have attention grabbing bounce

& he would have did himself a favor adopting that below the rim finishing package from the start

hopefully he passes the bagg of tricks on to future generations dwade was slick

*

 

[010101]

Wasnt the highest jumper but his explosion off the ground was crazy.

Tha fact he is 2nd in blokks by a SG all time as a dude who was basically 6'3" should tell you something

great timing + great wingspan*

 

[Trot LaRoc]

 

[Primetime21]

Wasnt the highest jumper but his explosion off the ground was crazy.

Tha fact he is 2nd in blokks by a SG all time as a dude who was basically 6'3" should tell you something

Wade is no. 1 in blocks by a guard all time, passed MJ this year.

 

[HandyWithTheSteel]

D-Wade only had a 35” vertical.

That’s way below average as far as freak athletes go. That’s probably why he’s left off the list. He wasn’t a super elite leaper.

In terms of explosiveness, he’s one of the GOATs. He also had a 6’11” wingspan. His athleticism was a combination of length, strength, and pure explosiveness.

I’m not sure his body control was all that great. They called him “Crash” for a reason. He would careen into the lane like a kamikaze. He was frequently out of control.