LeBron James: Why Miami Heat Is No Longer Dwyane Wade's Team

The wait is over.

The Miami Heat have finally lived up to the hype and won their first NBA championship. As a result, the hype has finally been justified and the critics have been silenced.

Let the debate begin: whose team is the Miami Heat?

While I've never been one to favor the idea of a team belonging to a player, I do acknowledge that leaders exist in the NBA. Since 2003, one of the greatest leaders of all was Dwyane Wade. Upon winning his first NBA championship, however, LeBron James appears to have taken the torch as the leader of the Miami Heat.

This time around, appearances are not deceiving.

LeBron James has become a vocal leader whose on-court production continues to place him amongst the all-time greats. His late-game efficiency continues to be questioned, but The King's first ring has unquestionably established him amongst the NBA's greatest.

With that being said, LeBron James' accomplishments has played a minor role in his establishment as "the man" in Miami. A bigger reason is the change in Dwyane Wade.

Previously considered one of the game's top three players, Wade took a major step backwards in 2012. Wade appeared hesitant when attacking the basket and never seemed to find a rhythm on offense.

In turn, LeBron James shouldered a heavier load than ever before.

Dwyane Wade admits to having taken a step back to allow LeBron James to pave his lane:

In his own words, Dwyane Wade had taken a step back to allow LeBron James to pave his lane.

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"It was probably one of the hardest things I had to do in sports was to, in a sense, take a step back,” Wade said. “A lot of people don’t understand. They’ll say, ‘Why would you do that?’ To me, I want more success from winning. I don’t want another scoring title. I’m just trying to win... I felt that it had to come from nobody but me, to say, ‘Go ahead, man. You’re the best player in the world. We’ll follow your lead.’ Once I said that, I thought he kind of exhaled a little bit." (via espn.com)

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The Miami Heat officially became LeBron James' team.

In 2013, expect Dwyane Wade to return to his usual ways. His best friend has won the ring that D-Wade had longed for him to receive. James has also rid himself of the doubters with his postseason performances, which Dwyane Wade's inefficiency helped make all the more noticeable.

If nothing else, just look further at the three MVP awards that LeBron James has won.

Other factors surrounding the Big Three only further support the claim that King James is now the King of Miami. With Dwyane Wade hitting 30 and Chris Bosh in inconsistent health, LeBron James can only be expected to shoulder another heavy workload.

Even in good health, Miami remains a team that has focused its offensive attack around LeBron James' ball-handling and slashing abilities. The design of the team and direction of the franchise suggest one thing.

LeBron James had made Miami his own.