NBA Playoffs 2012: All Eyes on Slumping Heat Star Dwyane Wade in Pivotal Game 5
What has happened to the jump shot and aggressiveness of Dwyane Wade?
As the countdown to the Miami Heat’s crucial Game 5 against the Boston Celtics inches closer, it’s Wade that must answer critics’ questions, not LeBron James.
James, aside from passing on a few late game shots, has been stellar against the Celtics (32.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.8 BPG, 51 percent shooting). He has been remarkably efficient and has shown why he was named MVP of the league.
His fellow superstar hasn’t put up numbers even remotely close against Boston. Wade (20.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 BPG, 45 percent shooting), has struggled big-time offensively and has been prone to extended droughts that leave him colder than the peak of the Rocky Mountains.
He is shooting far too many off-balance jumpers from 20 feet out and is relying on his pump fake far too often to try and reach the foul line, where he is connecting on a head-scratching 68 percent in the playoffs.
Wade’s inability to knock down shots has been one of the main storylines for the Heat this postseason, yet everyone wants to focus on the lack of late game heroics of LeBron and the injury to Chris Bosh.
But LeBron was the guy to hit the game-tying three at the end of regulation in Game 4. Wade was the guy who missed his only two shots in overtime, including the potential game-winner as time expired.
He has shot 25.8 percent from the field in the first half of games and has attempted a grand total of 14 shots total in the fourth quarter of this series. That means he is shooting just 3.5 shots in the fourth quarter. What’s the deal?
His shooting percentage dropped from 50 percent against the Knicks to 47 against the Pacers to 45 against the Celtics. They aren’t incredibly large drop-offs, but maybe the loss of Chris Bosh has dramatically affected his ability to get open looks.
His jumper has been an issue because he isn’t getting enough lift and is hoisting up far too many off-balance looks with a defender in his face.
This shouldn’t be a big deal considering his ability to attack the basket.
And that’s the most concerning aspect of Wade’s offensive game right now; his inability to consistently reach the paint.
After reaching the line just under nine times a game against the Pacers, he is attempting just 5.5 free throws in this series, and he didn’t reach the foul line once in Game 3. Overall he is averaging just 7.0 attempts this postseason, which is his lowest total in the playoff since his rookie year.
He isn’t being aggressive, and it’s destroying the Heat’s offense in the second half as the Boston defense really heats up. Typically, Wade is the guy to isolate, allowing him to make a move to the bucket and draw the foul.
Without his aggressiveness, the offense has become stagnant and Miami begins to rely on guys like Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers to hit shots. Miami doesn’t want that—the Heat want the ball in their stars' hands.
Wade needs to do as much in Game 5 to ensure that the offense doesn’t go in long droughts to match the almost-assured droughts the lethargic Celtics will be going through.
But I’m not here to completely bash Wade.
His defense has been spectacular. Guarding Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce is certainly no easy task. His anticipation for blocking shots is legendary for a guard and he has taken Allen out of the series. He certainly isn’t mailing it in on that side of the floor.
But it’s extremely puzzling to watch Wade stand in the corner for large chunks of time offensively, especially in the fourth quarter. His lack of aggressiveness makes you feel like he forgot that this is the playoffs.
Now is the time to flip the switch. Now is the time to help out his buddy LeBron and ensure he is the guy that is taking, and making, the game-winning shot.
Or how about attacking the basket early in the second half to ensure a comfortable win?
Wade’s the one that everyone trusts, the one that has always shouldered the last-second shot responsibilities. Now is not the time for a role-reversal.
As long as Wade is attacking the bucket and avoiding the off-balance shot, the Heat will successfully defend their home court and head back to Beantown with elimination on their mind.
