Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade's Top 10 Career Moments

The 2010 NBA free agency bonanza is right around the corner and is headlined by superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Wade is expected to stay in Miami as long as the front office can build a contender around him.

But, if Wade does happen to bolt from Miami for another team, then all Heat fans will have are his memories. D-Wade has had so many exceptional moments in his seven-year career with the Miami Heat and his presence is irreplaceable.

Wade has electrified Heat and NBA fans everywhere with his posterizing dunks, unbelievable game winners, and insane circus shots. Wade has way more than 10 plays that are worthy of mentioning, but here is what I think are the top 10 most amazing moments of "Flash's" career.

I have provided videos for some of the plays.

10. Wade's Turnaround Slam on Rodney Carney

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2R-w3zF5HY

In a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2007 season, Sixers guard Rodney Carney pulled off a rare dunk over Wade. But, Wade responded with his own facial just a few minutes later.

Wade recieved a pass from Ricky Davis at the baseline, where Carney was waiting. Wade absolutely owned the Sixers guard with a turnaround facial that had Carney falling to the ground. Wade clarified his superiority with a mean stare down as Carney laid helpless on the floor.

9. Wade Monster Dunk on Jermaine O'Neal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5QccAUm-d0

This slam was extra special because it occurred in Wade's rookie year over a still dominant Jermaine O'Neal in just Wade's second ever playoff series. Miami, who was a major underdog against an elite Pacers squad, managed to reel off two victories in the team's second round series and were led by an emerging Dwyane Wade.

A fearless Wade drove the lane and landed a monster facial dunk on one of the league's most prominent defenders. The dunk erupted the home crowd and gave Wade his nickname of "Flash." (Shaquille O'Neal said he dubbed Wade the name Flash after he saw that dunk on Jermaine.)

8. Wade's 2010 All-Star Game Performance

After being named to his sixth All-Star team, Wade added another accomplishment to his glorious career when he was named the 2010 All-Star game MVP.

He had an absolutely stellar performance, recording 28 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and five steals to lead the Eastern Conference to a victory. In addition, he had a number of jaw dropping plays, including a one handed dunk off the backboard and an array of alley-oops with East teammate LeBron James.

7. Wade's 17 Unanswered Points Against Detroit Pistons in 2006

This was one of the most amazing performances of Dwyane Wade's career. This game was late in the 2006 regular season when the Heat were enduring a major struggle and appearing not worthy of title contention.

This game came a day after Miami suffered an embarrassing 36-point blowout against the Dallas Mavericks. After the game, head coach Pat Riley questioned the team's heart and asked them to look deep inside themselves.

The message got through to them in the next game against the Pistons. Miami, who still felt the sting from the previous year's Game 7 Eastern Conference Finals falter, was down big in the fourth quarter against their heated rivals.

Wade led a furious comeback, willing his team to victory with 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to provide Miami a huge home victory. He completely put the team on his shoulders and attacked the Pistons with aggressive drives and a variety of jump shots from all over the floor.

The game completely turned around the Heat' season and they ultimately won the 2006 championship. Wade outscored the Pistons by himself in the fourth quarter and gave Miami new found confidence that was a factor in their playoff run.

It was certainly one of the most outstanding performances of Wade's career.

6. Wade's Circus Shot against Detroit in 2006 Eastern Conference Finals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSPc8D3dugY&feature=related

This was one of the craziest circus shots I have ever seen. As you might remember, this play was used in the NBA's "Where Amazing Happens" playoff commercials last season.

In a home game in the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons, Wade received a pass from Gary Payton at the perimeter. He used an open lane to drive to the basket, where Antonio McDyess was waiting for him.

McDyess had his feet planted, hoping to take a charge, but Wade contorted his body mid-air and used an underhand layup with his back facing the basket (after taking the contact) to make the amazing shot off the backboard and get the "And 1" call.

5. Wade's Game Winner vs Charlotte in 2004 Playoffs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFrC2bZ5I8w&feature=related

This shot was the start of Dwyane Wade's rise to super-stardom. Wade had been making some noise around the league but was overshadowed by fellow rookies LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

In just Wade's first playoff game of his career, he already was becoming a Miami Heat hero. With all the confidence in the world, Wade received the inbound pass with less than five second remaining in Game 1 of the Heat's first round against the Charlotte Hornets.

A young Wade used a mean crossover to blow past Baron Davis and then put up a pretty floater over Jamaal Magloire's hand for the game winner. It would be the first of many Dwyane Wade highlight reel plays.

4. Dwyane Wade's Posterizing Dunk Over Anderson Varejoe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6u1BdzSfhU

This is arguably Dwyane Wade's best known dunk of his career. He absolutely posterized Anderson Varejoe with this monster slam.

All-NBA Defensive Second Team? Varejoe sure didn't look like one of the NBA's best defenders in this play. Wade ignited a packed Miami home crowd with one of the most emphatic facials in NBA history.

Wade ran the length of the floor and took it right to the Brazilian, getting the And 1 call while Varejoe embarrassingly fell to the floor. Wade put emphasis on the throw down by stepping over Varejoe after the play. This dunk will always be remembered as one of the best in Wade's career.

3. Wade's Game Four Second Half Playoff Performance Against Boston

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMLzLRSQkx4 (Wade dunk on KG in third quarter to ignite the comeback).

If this was Dwyane Wade's last hoorah in Miami, then it sure was a great way to go out.

With the Heat down 0-3 against the Celtics in their first round series this year, Wade put on one of the greatest playoff showings of all time. He scored 30 points in the second half, finishing with 46 points in front of an appreciative American Airlines Arena.

He unloaded everything in his offensive arsenal to will his team to victory. He literally beat the Celtics by himself, outscoring them in the fourth quarter 19-15, without sitting a single second on the bench.

Wade had franchise playoff records with his 30 second half points and 46 overall points that kept the Heat alive in the series.

In addition, he made 16-of-24 shots, five-of-seven from the three-point line, and had five rebounds and five assists.

With the Heat down in the fourth quarter, Wade put the team on his back and put on a 2006 NBA Finals like performance by single-handedly beating Boston. In a five-minute stretch, he made four consecutive three-pointers and missed only one shot in the quarter to put the Heat up for good.

It was a truly scintillating performance that will go down as one of the best individual postseason outings in Miami Heat history.

Head Coach Erik Spoelstra called the comeback win an "utter defiance" by Wade while Celtics coach Doc Rivers called it "Phenomenal."

3. Wade's Game Four Second Half Playoff Performance Against Boston

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMLzLRSQkx4 (Wade dunk on KG in third quarter to ignite the comeback).

If this was Dwyane Wade's last hoorah in Miami, then it sure was a great way to go out.

With the Heat down 0-3 against the Celtics in their first round series this year, Wade put on one of the greatest playoff showings of all time. He scored 30 points in the second half, finishing with 46 points in front of an appreciative American Airlines Arena.

He unloaded everything in his offensive arsenal to will his team to victory. He literally beat the Celtics by himself, outscoring them in the fourth quarter 19-15, without sitting a single second on the bench.

Wade had franchise playoff records with his 30 second half points and 46 overall points that kept the Heat alive in the series.

In addition, he made 16-of-24 shots, five-of-seven from the three-point line, and had five rebounds and five assists.

With the Heat down in the fourth quarter, Wade put the team on his back and put on a 2006 NBA Finals like performance by single-handedly beating Boston. In a five-minute stretch, he made four consecutive three-pointers and missed only one shot in the quarter to put the Heat up for good.

It was a truly scintillating performance that will go down as one of the best individual postseason outings in Miami Heat history.

Head Coach Erik Spoelstra called the comeback win an "utter defiance" by Wade while Celtics coach Doc Rivers called it "Phenomenal."

2. Wade's Double Overtime Game-Winner Against the Chicago Bulls

The Heat should have just retired Wade's jersey after this play.

In Wade's comeback year from knee and shoulder surgeries, he treated us with a multitude of highlight reel plays. But, his game-winner vs. Chicago might have been his fanciest play of the season.

With the score tied in double overtime and Chicago having possession, Wade stole the ball from Bulls forward John Salmons with three seconds remaining. Flash ran the length of the floor and nailed a buzzer-beating three pointer off one leg to give the Heat the victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd.

This remarkable shot coined the phrase "This is My House," after Wade ran into the stands and pointed down at the arena (pictured above).

1. Wade's Game 3 NBA Finals Performance

Some say that Dwyane Wade's 2006 NBA Finals performance was the greatest of all time, beating out the greats such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson.

Wade averaged 34.7 points per game in the championship series against Dallas on his way to becoming the fifth youngest player to capture Finals MVP honors.

However, his Game 3 showing was the highlight of the series. Miami was in an 0-2 hole and down 13 points with just over six minutes left in regulation. The Heat appeared all but toast, until Wade said "I ain't going out like this," and completely took over the ball game.

Wade scored 42 points (second highest point total in his playoff career) and single-handedly fueled a series-saving comeback as the Heat rallied for a 98-96 victory over the Mavericks.

Wade posted 12 points in the final six minutes with multiple three-point plays to bring the Heat back. He made 14-of-26 shots and 13-of-18 free throws while grabbing 13 rebounds in 43 minutes to add to his impressive stat line.

Wade's clutch fourth quarter play in Game 3 shifted the momentum in Miami's favor and ultimately won them the series.

Wade's 2006 Finals performance as a whole will go down as one of his most defining times, but his Game 3 outbreak is Dwyane Wade's best moment of his career (in my opinion).