The Case for Dwyane Wade as NBA MVP

When it comes to the race for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award this season, Heat guard Dwyane Wade considers himself as much a spectator as a participant.

Although Wade insists his focus remains on his team's overall success, his nights usually don't end until after he turns on the television to check on Cleveland Cavaliers' forward LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant.

The threesome has gone from gold-medal winning, Olympic teammates last summer, to fierce competitors this season, to top contenders for the league's highest individual honor.

And Wade, the league's leading scorer, said he is starting to follow the MVP hoopla just like everyone else.

''Anytime you turn on the TV, you see LeBron highlights, you see Kobe highlights, you see my highlights, and you know they're going to say something about the MVP race,'' Wade said of what could shape up as the closest showdown of candidates in the award's history.

'You get some people who call it a two-man race, and you get some people who say, Don't forget about D-Wade,'' he said.

With the way Wade has played lately, that's not likely to happen.

Wade looks to continue what even he acknowledges has been the best regular-season stretch of his career when the Heat (32-28) face the the host Toronto Raptors (23-39) on Friday night at the Air Canada Centre.

Wade has statistically distanced himself from James and Bryant since the All-Star break, knowing that he might have to continue posting remarkable numbers to keep him in the running. James and Bryant, who play for the teams with the NBA's two best records, can easily rest their MVP cases on the league standings.

STAGGERING NUMBERS

Wade has shot 55.7 percent from the field and has averaged 35.7 points, 10.8 assists, 2.7 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 39.7 minutes in the eight games since Miami returned from the break.

After torching the Suns with 35 points and tying his career-high with 16 assists in Wednesday's 135-129 victory, Wade talked for the first time at length about his candidacy in the MVP discussion, and what he thinks the voting criteria should be.

When asked for his interpretation of the award, Wade said, "It's the most valuable player to his team. It's as simple as that. You've got to take a guy off a team and say, If he wasn't on there, how would this team be? ''

Wade used the example to underscore his argument that New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul should have been voted MVP last season instead of Bryant.

Paul, who has carried the Hornets from lottery team to conference title contender, averaged 21.1 points and a league-best 11.6 assists last season. Similar numbers earned Steve Nash the MVP award two consecutive seasons.

''Not taking away nothing from Kobe, I thought he was unbelievable,'' Wade said. "I thought he should have won the MVP some previous years. [But] I thought Chris Paul was the most valuable player, from the way he played and what he meant to that team. That's my interpretation of what a MVP is.''

But Wade could easily have been making his own case as well. With Wade missing 30 games last season to injuries, the Heat finished with the NBA's worst record at 15-67, which also tied the franchise-worst mark.

With Wade healthy and yet to miss a game this season, Miami is fighting for the fourth seed in the East and is on pace to nearly triple its win total.

Whereas James and Bryant have had veteran help and roster stability, Wade's supporting cast includes four players with two or fewer seasons of experience.

He has played with six different starting lineups and has been trying to get the team on track after the Feb. 13 trade that brought in Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon.

Wade's MVP candidacy appears to be gaining steam and league-wide support with each game he plays.

''There was a lot of talk [last season] about him maybe not getting back to form after the knee and shoulder surgeries in 2007," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. "Well, you're right. He didn't get back to form. He's better than he was before.''

PLAYING LIKE MIKE

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has said Wade would have to have an MVP season in order for Miami to accomplish its postseason goals.

Spoelstra also has challenged Wade to be Jordan-esque, as in being as motivated to bring his best game on a Monday in Milwaukee as he is during prime-time showdowns against the Lakers or the Cavaliers.

''Probably more so than ever now, he's taking the burden of the team and making other players better,'' Spoelstra said. "He's always had a gift at doing that. But now he's doing it game after game. That's always a quality of truly great players in this league over time.''

Regardless of how the MVP process turns out, Wade said he is satisfied that he measures up again.

''I'm going to enjoy these last 22 games, hearing people saying Kobe, LeBron, and possibly, D-Wade,'' Wade said. "I wish I was 6'7", 6'8". Then I'd be able to do more things on the court. But being 6'3", 6'4", I pride myself on some things I can do at my size. It makes it a little harder. At the same time, it makes it sweet.''