My Brother's Keeper: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade Set the Bar for NBA Duos

When LeBron James and Dwyane Wade decided to join forces, the NBA landscape changed overnight. Never in NBA history had the league's top two players played together in their prime.

The move shook the NBA world and drew criticism from near and far. Angry fans across the U.S. immediately pounced on the duo, mostly James. Former stars of the NBA even took swipes at the pair.

Needless to say, it has been a tumultuous season for the men we know as King James and D-Wade.

I personally did not see the backlash coming. Think about it; LeBron James was the most beloved star in the league a season ago. It seemed he could do no wrong. The magnitude and severity of the backlash he received was monumental.

How the man played an entire NBA season with that kind of emotional baggage beats me. Wade had to have wondered at some point exactly what he had got into in signing with James. Wade was no slouch in popularity either. He has consistently been one of the most loved NBA figures since winning a title for the Heat in 2006.

So how did LeBron James and Dwyane Wade make it through this roller coaster of a season? Brotherly love. It may sound corny but it's true. The brotherhood that has formed between the superstars is rare yet commendable.

We know from the NBA's history that superstars are not supposed to be cordial. They're usually at each other's throats! The fact that James and Wade have shared this unique relationship speaks volumes to their character in a time where everyone has a me first mentality.

What happened to putting others before yourself? Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant could learn from the blueprint the boys in Miami have set. If the Heat do go on to win the title, consider James and Wade geniuses.

When everyone scoffed at the notion of them playing together, they responded. When everyone said their egos wouldn't fit in the same locker room, they laughed. When everyone said they wouldn't make it past the Boston Celtics, they dominated.

We ridiculed them for their decision to play together, so it's only right we now give them props. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have set the bar for all future duos. Only time will tell where they'll rank in history.