NBA Playoffs 2012: Dwyane Wade Will Be Heat's Hero in Game 7

Dwyane Wade's image has taken a beating this season and he has battled through it. But as he prepares to face the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Wade is on a mission to resurrect himself. 

Lately, the headlines have not been favorable for Wade. To be honest, he looks like he can use a good PR man.

"Wade Crumbles on Big Stage".

"Dwyane Wade's Insult Would Have Guaranteed a Fight".

"Is Wade Playing Through an Injury?' 

Basking in the spotlight is great when things are good, but if you're winning and being ostracized, it is a whole different story. 

Wade is in perfect position to be Miami's go-to guy in Saturday night's deciding game with Boston. He'll have the home crowd behind him, the Celtics will direct all of their attention to LeBron James and Wade may have something left in his tank.

Wade has been dead quiet about his health, but most observers believe he's not right. Over the course of the playoffs, it seemed that way, as Wade performed duties that were not of his nature. 

Recently, Wade was even called out by USA Today, along with Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul. Both were referred to as "lost and running out of time."

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These are not the superstars we've come to know. These are not two of the best ballhandlers in the NBA, two of the most creative offensive players of the past decade, two of the most entertaining players to hit the hardwood.

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For most of his NBA career, Miami's Dwyane Wade has been put on a pedestal, as the face of Miami's franchise. He's been the chosen one and a passionate man who tries hard to avoid controversy. But he did not help himself in mid-May, when he got into a heated confrontation with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.  

The exchange was so embarrassing for the city of Miami, Wade heard the wrath of Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen.

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I would kick his (butt). Listen, we have a job to do. Players have to understand what kind of job we have. Some players think they know baseball more than you do. That's disrespectful. Why he's saying it, when he said it, that's none of my business. But the player come out and say something (like that to me), he will guarantee a fight.

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Wade has since tried to make amends with Spoelstra by being unselfish and acting like a team player. But with the loss of the injured Chris Bosh for most of the playoffs, life on the hardwood has been difficult for Wade and James, who have been forced to play 40 minutes per game with little to no rest.

But all of that will be put to rest when Wade is called upon tonight. If the Celts can control James, Wade will take over the game like his teammate did in Game 6, when James dominated with a series-high 45 points.

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"I hope now you guys will stop talking about LeBron and that he doesn’t play in big games,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. “He was pretty good tonight. Now that’s to bed. We can go ahead and play Game 7.”

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Wade agreed wholeheartedly.

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“This is not last year,” said Wade. “He’s really been locked in. He’s been playing unbelievable in the playoffs. He’s taken it upon himself. Like I said, he’s been MVP of the league right now. He’s showcasing it on a nightly basis.”

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Spoken like a true champion, who is preparing to work on his image, while everybody else is looking the other way.