Dwyane Wade Vs Dirk Nowitzki: Player of the Decade

Background Info

These two superstars have had a collision course in the prior decade with Dwyane Wades Miami Heat beating Dirk’s Mavericks in the 2006 Nba finals. Wade was named finals mvp and carried Miami to their first championship in franchise history.

Dwyane Wade’s Decade

The decade started off with a bang as Wade made four consecutive trips to the Nba Finals along new teammates LeBron James and Chris Bosh.  Wade lost to Nowitzki’s Mavericks in the 2011 finals, but Wade was the best player for Miami in that series after a disappointing outting from Lebron James. Wade then captured back to back championships in 2012 and 2013 the following seasons taking a backseat to LeBron who was undisputedly the best player in the world during that time.

After the collapse of the Big 3 in 2015, Wade battled injuries and missed the playoffs for just the second time in his career. In 2016 Wade returned to the playoffs just one game away from reaching the Eastern Conference finals once again as they lost a tough series to Toronto. For the first time the following season Wade suited up in a different uniform. He left Miami in the off-season to join his hometown Chicago Bulls on a two year contract. Wade’s time with Chicago didn’t go to well after a fairly disappointing season. The Bulls snuck into the eight seed and the following off-season Dwyane and Chicago parted ways . Wade then joined the Cleveland Cavaliers to play alongside his best friend LeBron James.

Cleveland traded Wade back to Miami at the deadline in 2018. He made the playoffs that year losing to Philadelphia in five games. Wades incredible career finally ended in 2019 with his “One Last Dance” tour taking place throughout the season. Miami missed the playoffs but the season has amazing moments for Wade. The season highlighted by improbable game winners and jersey swaps with some of the most notable names in the league. Wade got to end his career where he started in what was a crazy decade of his career.

Dirk Nowitzki’s Decade

To this point Dirk has achieved great individual success but had just never been able to capture a ring. The Mavericks put together one of the greatest runs coasting through the Western Conference in 2011 defeating the Blazers, Sweeping the former two-time defending champs the Los Angles Lakers, and Beating up on Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durants Thunder in five games.  Nowitzki had himself one of the best games of his career posting 48 points and setting a record making 24 consecutive free throws in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. He was absolutely superb and was going into an Nba finals matchup with the heavily favored Miami Heat.

After losing game one, Nowitzki personally helped steal game 2. After a Miami victory in game 3 , Dirk has a fever of 101 in game 4 but carried his Mavericks to a win. They would go on to win the next two games and Nowitzki finally got his first championship also winning finals MVP as well.  In 2012 Dirk was named to his 11th straight all star game but the Mavericks were swept by the Thunder. Dirk continued to take team friendly contracts to help build good rosters. The next few years of his career would lead to him breaking some of the greats records such as passing Hakeem Olajuwon for most points scored by a player born outside of the United States.

Dirk was past his peak in 2017 but continued to help Dallas although his season was very injury plagued. He broke the record for most seasons played with the same franchise and announced his retirement one day before the season ended.

Prediction 

Both these athletes had such great success in the last decade. They won championships, achieved so many personal accolades, and retired with the franchise they were drafted by. I have I had to guess who had the better decade I’d side with Dwyane Wade. Two championships will always be better than one although Dirk did win the head to head matchup this decade. I believe Wade had more of an impact later in his career. They both had absolutely amazing career that changed their franchise’s forever. I definitely expect Wade to pull through and advance to round 3, after a close battle with the 7 foot Schnitizel.

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