In 2018, Dwyane Wade candidly revealed to his wife and followers that he was not over the 2008-09 MVP Award. Six years later, the Miami Heat legend will receive one of the highest honors this coming October. He will become the first player of the franchise to receive a statue in his honor.

After his retirement in 2019, he has received honors practically every year. From his jersey retirement ceremony in 2020 to getting recognition in the NBA TOP 75. In 2023, the Naismith Hall of Fame inducted the 3x NBA champion, and Heat President Pat Riley announced the unveiling of Wade’s statue this year. Yet, the snub of the MVP is very close to his heart.

Dwyane Wade and his MVP loss over LeBron James

In the 2007-08 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers finished 4th in the Eastern Conference and lost the semifinal of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat finished dead last in the conference and had the worst record in the league (15-67). After being the only team to not reach the twenty-win mark, the franchise needed a change.

Erik Spoelstra assumed responsibility, and Dwyane Wade found new energy during the Olympics. He ended up being the top scorer of Team USA, even though he was the 6th man on the team. Fortunately or unfortunately, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James also felt different after their Olympics exploit.

The Lakers legend would guide him through another title. Meanwhile, King James led his team to the top of the Eastern Conference. With the league-best record of 66-16, which still is the franchise’s best record. The team would progress a step more from their previous season as they reached the Conference Finals.

As for Dwyane Wade, he guided the Heat to a 43-39 and brought them back to the playoffs. The 5th placed would eventually lose in the first round, not before Flash set multiple records. Becoming the scoring leader with 30.2 points per game and dished out a career-high 7.5 assists. Also, he is still the only player in the league to get 2000+ points, 500+ assists, 100+ blocks, and 150+ steals in a season.

The best scoring season for Dwyane Wade was not enough to win the MVP Award

Even though Dwyane Wade won the scoring title, LeBron was only 82 points behind him in the season. Both of them finished with 2300+ points for the season. King James averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. His contributions became more important because he became only the fourth player in the post-merger era to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks at the time.

Dwyane Wade might not be over the MVP snub, but he still understood why LeBron James won it. “Of course. But I also understand why LeBron won it. I think they won 67 games and he averaged roughly the same. Like I understand it, but as an individual player, that was my MVP year.” The Marquette Alum spoke to Club Shay Shay Podcast last year.

During the season, LeBron even beat his ‘Banana Boat Crew’ member in Player of the Month awards. With him winning 4 monthly awards, Wade ended up winning two. The race for the Player of the Week was also similar, where LeBron dominated with his 7 while Wade won three, and Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard would win 4, the same team that won the Eastern Conference finals.

Even Michael Jordan, who usually is quiet on any debate, gave his two cents. Backing the Chicago native Wade not just because of the scoring prowess. “I tell you, Dwyane is a phenomenon. If he’s not talked (about) in terms of the MVP, then I think they really not giving it a fair assessment of the NBA I think.” The 6x NBA champion continued, “No matter what you say about his team, you take him away from his team I’m pretty sure they would not be as successful. Whereas you take away LeBron and you take away Kobe, I’m pretty sure those teams will still be pretty competitive.”

With the overall contribution and a sizable impact on the team, James took the crown with 1172 points out of 1210. But Kobe Bryant, who guided the Lakers to a 65-17 record, finished second with 698 points. And Wade had to settle for third with 680 points. Ultimately, his best season was not enough to shadow LeBron’s overall contribution. After all, it’s a team sport, and Cleveland was the better team in the same conference where the Heat finished 5th.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”