“It Was Over”: Dwyane Wade Reveals Playing Against Two Kings’ Guards Made Him Consider to Retire

Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest shooting guards in basketball history. His 2006 Finals run is still considered to be one of the best in modern history. Wade retired with three championships, winning two more after LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined him in Miami.

Wade’s performances started declining after injury issues derailed his growth. However, a derailment for Wade still meant scoring about 20 points a game for multiple seasons. He started bouncing around teams like Chicago and Cleveland before he decided to return and retire with the Heat.

Wade revealed to J.J. Redick on his podcast as to why he decided to retire. The decision was influenced by playing against Sacramento Kings’ guards, De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield.

“I knew it was over for me when these young guys came in and were running so fast. I think we were playing against Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox and Buddy (Hield), they were running and getting shots up in about three seconds and I was like, ‘I can’t even get back in three seconds let alone get a shot up in three seconds’. I looked at coach and almost said take me out because my ego wouldn’t let me. I knew it was time.”

Dwyane Wade and Sacramento Kings

Wade speaking so candidly about the speed of Fox and Hield reaffirms one of the biggest open secrets of the league. This is one of the fastest backcourts in NBA history.

Fox himself has stated that he is the fastest player in the NBA. While official in-game metrics don’t reflect that, his sprint speed passes the eye test easily. Even if the metrics don’t reflect it, it is hard to doubt Fox’s speed, with even his coach in college, John Calipari saying that Fox’s speed is unmatched on a basketball court.

Wade could switch the burners on himself during his playing days, gliding through defenses and getting to the rim at ease. While neither Hield nor Fox have the same physicality that Wade had, both men are equally skilled in their own ways. Fox is unstoppable in fast-break situations, primarily because of how fast he can get up the court, while Hield is possibly one of the best three-point shooters in the league right now.