NBA Playoffs 2012: Dwyane Wade Needs Spectacular Game 4 To Save His Legacy

Two-of-13 shooting. A plus-minus of minus-25. A lackadaisical attitude. Arguing with coach Erik Spoelstra. Dwyane Wade’s performance in Game 3 has left a bad taste in America’s mouth.

Is this how Wade wants to be remembered?

In his worst playoff performance ever, Wade looked disenchanted and disengaged. Reporters cited that Wade could have a potential injury in the first half. That’s never a good sign for a superstar player who was merely off his game.

Even Ozzie Guillen took a shot at Wade’s attitude on Saturday. When Guillen offends the entire Cuban population and comes out of hiding to criticize you, it must have been awful behavior.

No matter how sweet that championship was in 2006, the Miami Heat’s superstar guard can not afford to not pull his weight and look like a Debbie Downer doing it in 2012.

He may not get the media scrutiny that LeBron gets, but if he turns in another weak showing then the world will know Wade did not show up in Chris Bosh’s absence. At least LeBron can be counted on for the first three-and-a-half quarters. Right now, the same thing can't even be said about Wade.

For the last two seasons, Wade has been expected to lead the Heat to a championship banner. Forget the talk about LeBron, Wade has a title to his name and had brought Bosh and LeBron to Miami to win "not 5, not 6, not 7." Erik Spoelstra named him the closer at the beginning of the season. Now, with the season and the "Big Three Experiment" hanging in the balance, Wade can not fold. Not now. 

Just like his old Nike commercials, he needs to get back up again. Better yet, rise up—because this Miami Heat decision hangs in the balance. Ditto for "The Big Three" and "The Welcome Party."

The Pacers defend Wade with the 6'9" Paul George, who has caused D-Wade fits in this series. George’s long wingspan and quick feet have prevented Wade from getting clear looks at the basket. He’s settled for jumpers too many times and hasn’t attacked the basket with his usual explosiveness.

Wade will need to be aggressive and find ways to get to the line. He’s averaging career lows in free-throw attempts and free-throw percentage this playoffs, but with attempts will come points that the Heat desperately need. If the Heat can get out and transition and get the Pacers bigs in foul trouble, they can look like the Miami team that was victorious in Game 1.

Wade needs a mulligan after his disastrous Game 3. He’ll get his chance to rise up.