“I’d start off with Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant in his prime, LeBron in his prime, D Wade in his prime, Melo that’s a good start.” Michael Jordan answered when asked who he wanted to play one-on-one. Players who followed MJ’s career, know about the impact especially when you are a Chicago native like Dwyane Wade. So, when the Miami Heat legend realized his true potential, he didn’t hesitate to come for the throne.

Speaking with his long-time friend, Carmelo Anthony, and his co-host The Kid Mero on their weekly podcast, Wade revealed his ‘I’m Him’ moment during his NBA career. “Yeah, I thought I was coming for MJ, I’m going to be the greatest,” Wade said, via the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. The 3xNBA champion was clear about his goals but the reality of being the greatest just like the Chicago Bulls legend came in his rookie year.

“I thought I was going to be before injuries, I’m like MJ, I’m coming for you. I mean that’s my mentality.” Dwyane Wade revealed. And there is a reason why the ‘Flash’ felt it. “I’m like I’m going to be the greatest because I figured it out very early in the league.” During the EC semifinal against the Pacers, Wade averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, facing the team with the best record and the best player at the time.

At the time, Metta Artest aka Metta World Peace was crowned the DPOY. However, Wade found out that he was faster than the best defender in the league. “He was stronger than me but I was so quick and I was strong.” He thought to himself if the DPOY can’t stop him then everybody in the league is in trouble. And as Wade was able to beat Artest who was shouldering the responsibility of guarding him, he found out the hard way that D-Wade was no slouch as he was able to beat Artest in a one-on-one situation during the playoffs.

Not just hooping-wise, Michael Jordan has had an effect on Dwyane Wade for personal growth as well. Wade was part of the Jordan brand yet he decided to leave the same to create his legacy just like Jordan.

Dwyane Wade and Michael Jordan

In 2012, Wade left the Jordan brand to partner with Li-Ning. And 12 years after that move, the 42-year-old has successfully created his Way of Wade. During that period Miami Heat and Dwyane Wade had won back-to-back finals, and he took the risk to partner up with the Chinese Sportswear company. Not only risks in his professional life but in his personal life too, Wade got support from Jordan.

Dwyane Wade is famous for wearing nail polish, but he was not sure how would the world react to it. But when he realized that ‘His Airness’ applied clear nail paint, that helped Wade to express himself more freely. According to him, it was a challenge before because at the time grooming methods for men carried a stigma. Somehow MJ has always been there for Wade and his biggest moments. One such moment was when he was drafted by the Miami Heat.

Partying with his cousins, Wade did not realize that night he was going to meet Jordan. First, he thought it was a prank when his cousins said MJ was waiting outside. However, it was not a prank, “So we beeline out of the club. Right outside the door, it’s a slew of motorcycles, and Michael Jordan is sitting right there on one of the motorcycles.” Describing the moment as “it was like seeing a ghost.”

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.