“Expectation is the thief of joy” – a proverb that fits well in the world of sports. Especially when rookies are so often compared to NBA greats before they’ve even set foot on the league’s hardwood. One legend felt the brunt of these expectations when he was compared early on to Kobe Bryant. After coming into the league as a highly touted shooting guard, he went on to win the 2006 NBA championship alongside the Big Diesel.

For helping Shaquille O’Neal win his 4th before former teammate Kobe, the Marquette star was immediately compared to the Mamba. But the Miami fan favorite was quick in his humble rejection of the narrative.

Heat legend opens up on being compared with Kobe Bryant

Dwyane Wade was recently featured in an episode of Shannon Sharpe’s podcast, ‘Club Shay Shay’. It was then that Wade opened up about being compared to Kobe in his early days. In conversation with Wade, Sharpe mentioned, “When you came there, they were like D Wade going to be the next Kobe.”

The Miami legend bluntly replied, “I didn’t like that.”

Shannon reiterated to ask if it was due to the pressure that came along with the name. Wade clarified that it was not the pressure but rather the fact that he didn’t “want no smoke.”

Staying humble, Wade went on to explain that Kobe was on a completely different level than him. He explained how he could accept that he was not in the same conversation as the Mamba after winning his first ring in Miami.

As a fan of Jordan, A.I. and Kobe himself, Wade didn’t want to be a part of the comparisons. Explaining in his own words he stated, “I played the way I played because of Kobe, and I was like don’t put me there yet. I am two years in the league.”

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2006 Miami and Wade’s first NBA championship

Dwyane Wade announced himself to the NBA as ‘The Flash’ during the 2005-06 season.

Motivated by his desire to surpass Bean, the Big Diesel rallied Miami to a shocking championship run where they beat the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. Although Wade credits Udonis Haslem for being the reason they won, it was his own performance that earned the Miami Heat their first-ever title.

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In 2012 and 2013, Wade and the Heat won two more championships with their iconic trio. Of course, during their repeat, it was ‘King’ LeBron James who won the Finals MVP award. But in 2006, Wade was awarded the only Finals MVP of his career.

What did you think of the 3-time champion’s comments? Do you also think that Kobe was on a different level? Let us know!