Merriam-Webster defines ego as, “the one of the three divisions of the psyche in psychoanalytic theory that serves as the organized conscious mediator between the person and reality especially by functioning both in the perception of and adaptation to reality.”
That’s the technical definition, but in sports ego can be defined much simpler: “I want to be the man.” This season notwithstanding, Dwyane Wade has been the man in Miami for seven years. When he captivated the nation as a junior at Marquette before being taken 5th overall by the Heat in the 2003 NBA draft, Pat Riley and the organization knew that they had a special player. I don’t think they truly knew just how good Wade would eventually become.
Just a mere three years later, Wade would lead the Heat to the organization’s first championship while putting on an impressive performance in the Finals against Dallas in doing so. Wade had it made. He was in his 20s, in his physical prime, and someone who ran the city of Miami. So much so that Dade County has been dubbed Wade County. When free agency was on the horizon last year, and before any rumors began, I didn’t see any reason for Wade to leave Miami. He’s young, he already has a championship, and did I mention that it’s Miami?
Then of course, last summer Pat Riley worked his magic and was able to retain Wade before landing Chris Bosh. I’ve always regarded Bosh as a complimentary player rather someone a franchise should be built around so I thought it was a good fit for the both of them. We all know what followed: LeBron James. Initially, I wasn’t sure how those two were going to coexist but then I realized that it has to work. And it is, as they are both averaging north of 25 points apiece.
But after LeBron joined the Heat, and before the season started I thought it was still Wade’s team. He’s been there, he won a championship there and has been the face of the franchise for the last seven years. The Hoop Doctors had the opportunity to speak with Wade after Bosh and James became his two newest teammates, and before the season started, and he told us that he was very excited about the opportunity to play with them. I wonder if he is second guessing that now because it’s clear that it’s LeBron’s team. In fact, when Wade got hurt during their very first preseason game, I realized it was LeBron’s team then.
Sure this is probably the best team that he’ll ever play on, and he doesn’t have to carry the load himself in Miami anymore, but with the addition of LeBron, Wade has lost a significant amount of spotlight. Networks and fans alike typically say “LeBron and the Heat” as opposed to “Wade and the Heat.” Yes, they are winning and will be a very tough out in the playoffs but I wonder if Wade would rather be the man still. In Wade’s defense, I have not heard him say anything or do anything that would give me any indication whatsoever that he regrets wanting to play alongside LeBron. I guess I’m just putting myself in his shoes.
Although Wade hasn’t reacted negatively, he’s human. A human with an ego. Athletes especially have a bigger ego than most because they live in the spotlight and public perception is everything, and I’m sure most feel that the Heat are LeBron’s team.
A few weeks ago when the Heat visited the Knicks, Wade was on fire, shooting 14 of 22 from the field (including several in a row late in the game) en route to 34 points in the loss. James, however, was off and shot a woeful 7 of 24 from the field for 24 points. The game was close and even though Wade was hot, LeBron took a lot of key shots down the stretch whereas those shots probably should have been reserved for Wade based on how the game was going.
Couple that with the fact that LeBron has scored 51 and 41 within the last week, and is one of the frontrunners for the MVP, while Wade’s name is nowhere to be found in the discussion, it makes you wonder if deep down, Wade misses the attention that he now shares.
I could be making something out of absolutely nothing. Perhaps Wade is more selfless than this and after all, his team is winning. Also, I give him all the credit in the world because you don’t often see a player of his caliber wanting to be paired alongside someone who is a better player. I do, however believe that when you play at this level, and on this stage, you absolutely want to be the man.
If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook
