Dwyane Wade Vs. Kevin Garnett: A Tale of the Tape

Dating back to last year's postseason, the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics had a rivalry brewing.

Although the Heat were eliminated by the Celtics in five games, it was a very physical first round series that was highlighted by Dwyane Wade's 46-point Game 4 effort. The Celtics went off to win the Eastern Conference and take the Lakers to seven games in the NBA Finals.

Then, the Heat acquired LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the offseason, shifting the balance of power in the Eastern Conference and retooling their roster to have enough firepower to compete with Boston.

This season has turned into a back-and-forth slug fest for the top spot in the East as Miami is only a half game behind Boston for first place.

The Celtics and Heat are clearly the class of the Eastern Conference and after three games against each other this season, tempers are igniting as both teams are battling for the throne.

Boston has won all three contests against Miami this season, but only by an average of 5.3 points. However, last Sunday's game was a much more hostile contest that saw Wade getting called for a flagrant foul for elbowing Kevin Garnett to answer KG's hard screen on Mike Miller.

Wade and Garnett are their respective squads emotional leaders and that was showcased in Boston's 85-82 victory last Sunday.

The bad blood is clearly growing between these two title contenders, and it will only carry over into the playoffs.

Here is a faceoff between Boston's emotional leader, KG, and Miami's emotional leader, D-Wade in a tale of the tape slideshow that contains both real and imaginary elements (pretend as if they were boxing each other).

Here is how the two would compare.

Position: Dwyane Wade

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 08: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena on February 8, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or

Position: Shooting Guard

Wade is Miami's starting shooting guard and helps run the backcourt with LeBron James and Mario Chalmers.

Position: Kevin Garnett

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 06: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics celebrates in the first half against the Orlando Magic on February 6, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Magic 91-80. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

Position: Power Forward

KG is the Celtics starting power forward and is one of the primary players in Boston's powerful and deep frontcourt.

Height and Weight: Dwyane Wade

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 08: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat gives direction during a game against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena on February 8, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 220 pounds

Height and Weight: Kevin Garnett

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Height: 6'11"

Weight: 253 pounds

Age: Dwyane Wade

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CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 04: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball up court against the Charlotte Bobcats at the Time Warner Cable Arena on February 4, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Heat defeated the Bobcats 109-97. NOTE TO USER:

Age: 29

Age: Kevin Garnett

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball guarded by Hakim Warrick #21 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71. NO

Age: 34

Real Strengths: Dwyane Wade

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - FEBRUARY 11: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat gets to the basket in front of Tracy McGrady #1 of the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills on February 11, 2011 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

Being a top five player in the NBA, Wade has a variety of strengths.

He has outstanding offensive skills that include an amazing ability to drive to the basket, superior dunking, superb dribbling and a solid mid-range jumper. He showcases blazing speed that enables him to get up and down the floor very quickly.

He is also very good on the defensive side.

At 6'4", he is one of the best shot blocking guards in the league and also can rack up the steals. He is a very solid one-on-one defender.

Overall, he can score at will and has very high basketball IQ, which makes him an elite player.

Real Strengths: Kevin Garnett

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 13: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat drives against Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or us

KG is obviously a lot different than in his Minnesota days, where he was a double-double machine on a consistent basis. Now he is a lot older and his knees aren't what they used to be after multiple injuries.

Therefore, he has become the defensive enforcer of the Celtics. Garnett takes pride in his defense and makes sure that his team focuses on defense as well. He can haggle his opponent and cause forced shots, low percentage shots and, ultimately, turnovers.

Garnett possesses great range for a big man and has a lethal mid-range jump shot and can hurt you with his turn around jumper as well. He is not the offensive presence he used to be, but still has the ability to score 20+ points on any given night.

With nine rebounds per game, Garnett can obviously still hit the glass and be an effective rebounder.

Imaginary Boxing Strengths: Dwyane Wade

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - FEBRUARY 11: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat gets in for a dunk while playing the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills on February 11, 2011 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Miami won the game 106-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

If Dwyane Wade was in a boxing match, his advantages would be his agility and athleticism.

In a hypothetical matchup with KG, Wade's advantages would be his right jab and his uppercut. By utilizing his quickness, Wade would be able to throw fast punches while still being able to evade some of Garnett's punches because of his agility and athleticism. Also, Wade's competitive spirit would be very beneficial in a fight.

He would be good at capitalizing on missed punches from KG and be able to return with quick jabs.

After all, they don't call him "Flash" for nothing.

Imaginary Boxing Strenths: Kevin Garnett

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 13: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics catches a pass against Joel Anthony #50 of the Miami Heat at TD Garden on February 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 85-82. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

If KG were to enter the ring and put on the gloves against Wade, he would have an obvious size advantage. He would also have a big advantage in reach and wingspan, which would benefit his defense against Wade. 

Garnett's primary strength would be his power hook that would have the ability to knock Wade out in one punch. He would have a forceful haymaker that could do some serious damage.

KG's defense and vision would be key in a match against Wade, as he would have to avoid his swift punches.

Imaginary Boxing Weaknesses: Dwyane Wade

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MIAMI - FEBRUARY 06: Guard Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat reacts against the L.A. Clippers at American Airlines Arena on February 6, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this pho

Wade's disadvantages would be his lack of size and reach compared to Garnett.

Additionally, he wouldn't have as much as power as KG.

Imaginary Boxing Weaknesses: Kevin Garnett

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics talks with referee Joe Crawford after being cut above his left eye against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The

At 34, KG would have an obvious disadvantage in speed.

But, what really might hurt him in the ring is his emotions. Garnett is known for being a passionate player, however, boxing is different than basketball. His emotions could potentially get the best of him, causing him to take too many risks.

Dwyane Wade Vs Kevin Garnett: Wade Posterizes KG No. 1

This throw down by Wade occurred when Garnett was still with Minnesota, but it will be remembered as one of MV3's better dunks.

Dwyane Wade Vs Kevin Garnett: Wade Posterizes KG No. 2

This dunk happened last season and was much more dominant than the first one, as Wade clearly posterizes Garnett with a one-handed jam.

Pre-Fight Drama?

In Miami and Boston's most recent game, emotions surfaced after KG delivered a hard screen on Mike Miller. Wade, defending his teammate, ran down the floor and elbowed Garnett in response.

Is this just a mere preview of this season's potential playoff showdown between the heated rivals?

Who Would Win?

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MIAMI - APRIL 25: Guard Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat scores against Center Kendrick Perkins #43 and Forward Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines

Although it's unrealistic, who would in this hypothetical battle between The Big Ticket and Flash?