LeBron James and Dwyane Wade headlined the iconic NBA Draft of 2003. After entering the league together as rookies, they went on to provide us a lifetime of memories both as competitors and as teammates. In the wake of Wade’s one last dance concluding against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, we look back at 11 of the greatest moments these two friends and superstars combined to offer during their careers together.
No. 11 – Two rookies meet for the first time
On November 12, 2003, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade met on the NBA stage for the very first time. James, fresh out of high school, was only 18 years old. After starring at Marquette University and leading his team to Final Four the year before, Wade was 21 when the two young stars collided. LeBron finished the night with 18 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Dwyane totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists while James and the Cleveland Cavaliers went on to get the win. It wasn’t their most prolific matchup, but it set the stage for monster performances in the years to come.
No. 10 – Wade and James combine for a classic
The young primes had arrived for both LeBron and D-Wade when the two stars met on April 1, 2006. Playing in Cleveland, each player would exceed the the 40-point mark as James would edge Wade in the scoring column with 47 points compared to 44 from No. 3 for the Miami Heat. While carrying each of their respective teams, LeBron and D-Wade went shot for shot in what was arguably their greatest matchup of all-time. In the end, the Cavaliers secured a 106-99 victory over the Heat in a game that those who watched will never forget.
No. 9 – Another 40-piece performance
On March 2, 2009, James and Wade would once again each exceed the 40-point plateau when the Heat met up with the Cavaliers in Miami. James would also tally eight rebounds and four assists while Wade collected seven steals to go along with nine assists and seven rebounds. The Cavaliers would earn the hard-fought 107-100 victory in the final time these two stars would go for 40 each in a game against one another. Two years later, they’d become teammates on the shores of South Beach.
No. 8 – That iconic moment in Miami
Twenty-two games into their first season together as teammates, LeBron and Dwyane would be forever immortalized in one of the most famous images of the “Heatles” era in Miami. As Wade completed the assist to James who is flying through the air for the finish in the background, the NBA was put on notice that the new-look Heat had finally arrived. They’d go on to win their December 6, 2010 matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks by 10 points. Following a slow start to the season, the win improved their record to 14-8 at the time and they’d never look back for the next four seasons.
No. 7 – Wade throws 90-foot alley-oop to James
In February of 2011, Wade and James connected on one of the best passes in NBA history. While leading the Indiana Pacers 33-12, D-Wade tossed a Patrick Mahomes-like 90-foot alley-oop that LeBron converted at the other end. When Dwyane released the full-court baseball pass, his foot was nearly on the opposing baseline. The precision of the play would go on to define the era of basketball that Wade and James would combine to provide during their time together in Miami.
No. 6 – Their first ring together in 2012
After falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals during their first season together, the Miami Heat would regroup and collect their first championship ring together the following year. Despite dropping Game 1 of the 2012 championship series to the young Oklahoma City Thunder, the Heat peeled off four consecutive wins to secure the first title of the Wade, James and Bosh era in Miami. Wade’s decision to take a step back to let LeBron lead during that run to the title would prove to be the difference in becoming champions.
No. 5 – High-flying holiday highlights
The two high-flying highlights that Wade and James combined on during their Christmas Day win over the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013 seemed to signal the very apex of the “Heatles” era in Miami. In particular, the second pass that Wade offers off the glass for James is just ridiculous. Following the play, ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy said during the broadcast, “They should just stop the game right now and let everyone watch the replay.” We suggest you do the same.
No. 4 – Back-to-back champions
In 2013, LeBron and D-Wade went back-to-back as NBA champions with the Miami Heat. They used seven games to eliminate the San Antonio Spurs and secure the title. James and Wade would combine for 60 points and 22 rebounds in the decisive victory. It would prove to be their crowning achievement together as teammates and the pinnacle of the Big Three Era in Miami.
No. 3 – Cavs vs. Heat all over again
On Christmas Day, 2014, LeBron and Dwyane would meet as competitors once again. James had just left Miami for his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Wade was still holding it down for the Heat. James would finish with 30 points for the contest while Wade totaled 31 and collected the victory. This would be the last time that both players would exceed the 30-point mark in a game together during their career.
No. 2 – The reunion
For 46 games during the 2017-18 season, D-Wade and LBJ were reunited as teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After battling significant injuries, Wade would average 11 points and four rebounds during his time with the Cavs while playing a support role. He would also wear No. 9 which never really seemed to fit. Eventually, he was traded mid-season back to the Miami Heat where he’d go on to conclude his career.
No. 1 – Their final game
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James would meet on the NBA stage for the final time on December 10, 2019. It was a bittersweet moment as it signaled the end of the LeBron and D-Wade era that provided us so many memories. Wade finished the night with 15 points and 10 assists while James tallied 28 points and 12 assists in leading his Lakers to the victory. Sixteen years after they first met as rookies, it all seemed to conclude just as fast as it started. But as friends, teammates and competitors, we’ll never forget what Wade and James combined to do on the court together throughout their respective careers.
