Miami Heat: Was LeBron James or Dwyane Wade More Impactful in Game 2?

Let’s honor the perpetual debate yet again over who provides the greater impact for the Miami Heat in a game-by-game basis, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.

In this case, let’s grade the respective performances of these two superstars in the Heat’s 115-111 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals.

Allow me to first indicate that as a daily viewer of ESPN’s First Take, I have been privy to all of the infamous Skip Bayless utterances over who deserves the title of Batman versus the title of Robin. Bayless categorically believes Wade plays the role of Batman, while LeBron will always assume the lesser, if not pejorative, moniker of Robin.

I believe in just the opposite.

While Wade is the unquestionable closer, LeBron is the undeniable leader of the Heat for the first 46 or so minutes. He is the more adept facilitator, rebounder, defender of all positions and the only one capable of playing every minute of a game.

Never would I diminish the contributions of Mr. Wade. He is the more explosive scorer, an elite defender/facilitator in his own right and, most importantly, an NBA champion. However, he simply cannot carry a team for the entirety of a game at this stage of his career.

This is where LeBron earns the honor of being a three-time MVP.

Bayless is on point when he denigrates LeBron’s regular season achievements—meaning they really count for nothing without winning an NBA Championship. But Bayless also fails to recognize his fundamental role in the Heat’s sustained success throughout every game, production that gives rise to LeBron’s MVP honors (including those he garnered while at Cleveland as well).

So, coming back full circle (I apologize for that rather circuitous route to the crux of this article), who had the more impactful performance in Game 2, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade?

LeBron: 48 MIN, 34 PTS (7-20, 2-6 3PM-A, 18-24 FTM-A), 10 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, +10 (+/-)

Wade: 44 MIN, 23 PTS (8-15, 0-0 3PM-A, 7-11 FTM-A), 6 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, +11 (+/-)

LeBron produced a superior box score when viewed comprehensively. Of course, though, one must measure any player’s performance beyond these statistical measures.

First Half

In the first half, both players were mostly non-existent as Boston dominated (shooting absolutely lights out) until the 2:40 mark of the second, going up 49-36.

LeBron then took over with 2:25 remaining in the half. He made a 19-foot jumper, went 3-4 from the line, added a defensive rebound and assisted on Miami’s five other points until the buzzer sounded.

Wade put in the acrobatic layup for the final points (a meager 1-6 for the half)—cutting Boston’s lead to 53-46—but LeBron undoubtedly contributed in a more significant fashion to keep the game close.

Third Quarter

Moving to the second half, the Heat exerted its will in the third quarter, establishing an 81-75 lead at the end of the frame.

LeBron continued to compensate for Wade’s lack of production at the start of the third. He nailed two three-pointers after Wade missed his first two shots (1-8 for those counting). These threes helped neutralize the Celtics going 2-2 from the floor (Pierce, Rondo) and 4-4 from the line (Bass, Pierce) and extending a huge lead.

With the C’s up 61-52 at the 9:15 mark, the Bayless-proclaimed Batman finally found his groove. He made a short jumper (LeBron assist) after a Haslem rebound and then returned the favor by assisting on a Haslem jumper to cut the deficit to five.

Wade then nailed three shots, including two of his patented beautiful high-arching step-backs, in a 1:50 span to come within a point of Boston’s lead (71-70). He also sparked Miami with an incredible block on a Ray Allen layup after a breakaway steal.

The Heat finally established its first lead at 73-71 on a Wade-assisted Haslem layup and subsequent free throw with 2:55 left.

Both LeBron and Wade added four points and two boards to close out the period. The latter was instrumental with his block and six-point span that fired up the Heat, but LeBron opened and closed out the period in pivotal ways.

Fourth Quarter

We are now at the potential deciding quarter, when the grading of Batman and Robin’s performances is ultimately conducted. 

Unfortunately for them, both would like to forget their individual efforts contributing to said grades. Well, at least LeBron could appreciate his initial output.

After some rare time off (totaling a whopping 1:35), ‘Bron went 6-6 from the foul line, first maintaining three-point deficits and then recapturing the lead for his Heat at 96-94. The team was dreadful before these game-changing moments (minus a clutch game-tying three by Battier).

Wade, for his part, missed a crucial free throw that would have made it a two possession game with just 47 seconds remaining. Allen tied the game with a clutch three of his own at 0:34. Wade’s line score for the quarter was an awful 1 PT, 1 AST, 1 TO.

At the end of the day—at least up to this point— what everyone will remember is LeBron’s missed layup and subsequent 21-footer as time expired. No one will recall his game-changing free throws. Another closeout scenario, another failure.

99-99 heading into OT.

Overtime

This period is now the real ultimate deciding time to declare either Wade or his teammate as the more impactful contributor.

Up until this stage of the game, LeBron, in my opinion, provided the greater impact towards a Heat victory. More points, rebounds, assists and minutes—missed final shot or not.

In overtime, though, Wade took the proverbial cake. He scored eight points, including 4-6 from the line to extend leads to 110-105, 112-105 and the final winning score of 115-111.

LeBron wasn’t a complete slouch by any measure, assisting on a basket for the Heat’s first lead of OT at 107-105. He also added four points, two rebounds and two jump-ball wins.

Will his two missed free throws and turnover, and Wade’s game-clinching points in this frame sway the battle towards No. 3?

Conclusion

For all the LeBron haters, unfortunately it will not.

If it weren’t for No. 6’s grueling 48 minutes, pivotal threes, big rebounds and overall point total, the Heat would have certainly faltered to the Boston Celtics.

Wade undoubtedly closed things out with eight points in overtime. However, LeBron’s performance in every other quarter was more conducive towards the Heat’s victory. He may have failed to win it in the fourth, but he certainly didn’t lose it. Both players missed crucial free throws.

LeBron wins this battle, but together with Wade and a healthy Chris Bosh, this team collectively will emerge victorious over the Celtics and any team they face in the NBA finals.