It really doesn't make much sense to criticize Dwyane Wade's shot selection at any point in a game.
The truth is, the guy has made so many from so many angles and at so many different clutch moments, that he's earned the benefit of the doubt there, hasn't he?
And despite the recent rash of speculation and concern about his conditioning, various nagging injuries and shots taken by local and national so-called experts, the truth is that Wade at 80 percent, or even 70 percent, still ranks among the league's most dominant and productive players.
Now, this is not to excuse D. Wade's transgressions when he commits them. Because the view from here is that he expects every single call anytime someone even thinks about fouling him. That's the monster that gets created when one reaches elite star status in the league.
But one point Dywane Tyrone Wade Jr. made in recent days, and reiterated after Monday's practice, was that he treats critics like he does so-called defensive stoppers. He blows by them and does his thing regardless of what's thrown his way.
The truth is, Wade didn't even bother to dismiss his varying ailments and aches Monday after shooting down just about every inquiry about them a day earlier following Sunday's 13 of 31 performance in the Heat's come-from-ahead loss to Portland.
The back spasms came from nowhere and have had a deep impact on his mobility. The sore right shooting wrist does impact his ability to control the ball, follow through on his release and finish strong at the rim. The knees and legs do ache at times. And that's all on top of the general burden he has to carry with this middle-of-the-pack team, one that's heavy enough alone to carry when he's healthy.
"You know what, more so than anything, I'm just happy that I can play through it," Wade said Monday of facing the mental and physical barriers. "Sometimes, certain injuries, some guys might not be able to play. I'm glad that God gives me the ability to at least go play and help my team in some way. That's all I can ask for."
Wade certainly has taken his share of shots. And he's responded by continuing to deliver his own. He's motivated to prove critics wrong. He wants fans to know that he'd love to score 40 points a night. Or, maybe not, actually. He's even cleverly tip-toed around this latest conditioning issue with Riley saying publicly that Wade "has a long way to go" to get back to being the "lean, mean, scoring machine" he was last season.
"I would love to live up to expectations every night, but I'm not looking to live up to other peoples' expectations," Wade said. "It's not my job to go out there and say I need to score 40 every night. That's what the fans want to see? I'm not trying to be in a battle with Kobe and LeBron and those guys in trying to lead the league in scoring. I'm trying to lead this team (to wins)."
But at the end of the day, the situation is what it is. The Heat is 13-12, 8-8 at home. In superior shape or not, Wade didn't get the kind of roster boost this summer he needs in order to contend for a championship right now. So now, it's a waiting game, albeit a productive one still destined for the playoffs. He's still showing up every night and giving what he can on the court, minus a possession or two to complain to officials.
That's nothing he hasn't done during every game over the course of the past four seasons. Having said that, the Heat's best shot at accomplishing anything is by having Dwyane take as many shots as possible. Even those shots from so-called fans, so-called critics, so-called experts that motivate him so much.
Then again, he's already taken plenty of shots this season. Figuratively and literally.
"As long as I'm able to play ... I'm happier than if I would be having to sit on the bench with a suit on."
And despite his latest T-Mobile spots, no one wants to spend another season analyzing his suit collection again. Been there and done that in 07-08.
The truth is, that was too painful for anyone to bear.
(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)
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