NBA Power Rankings: The Top 10 Shooting Guards in the NBA
By HoopDon
4.) Dwyane Wade (Blend = 13.4)
May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) is introduced before a game against the Indiana Pacers in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Advanced Stats: PER=22.0, Win Shares=.149, RPM=2.04, Wins Produced=.193, ASPM=2.60
Dwyane Wade’s reign as the top shooting guard in the league has clearly come to an end. The Heat guard has seen a drop in every major statistical categories since 2013 (aside from shooting percentage), and at age 32, that general trend isn’t likely to reverse. Part of Wade’s regression is due to the huge toll four straight Finals appearances have taken on his health, while Wade’s inability to develop a three-point shot has only exacerbated matters.
There is however, some hope. With LeBron James gone, Wade has a chance to grab the reigns of the offense, and significantly increase his offensive output. Without the expected burden of playing deep into June every year, Wade will likely also increase the amount of games he plays in next season, a must if his Heat want to remain elite. If he can remain injury free (insert joke here) and reclaim some of the fire he lost when LeBron took over his team, expect Wade to climb a couple spots in these rankings.