Dec/064
Is Dwyane Wade Becoming Marinoesque?
Add another award to Dwyane Wade’s trophy case. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has named Dwyane Wade “Sports Person of the Year 2006“, adding just another accolade to Wade’s list. Dwyane appreciates what an athlete can do for a community. And he appreciates what a community can do for an athlete. He saw it with Jordan, his childhood idol in Chicago, and he’s living it now in his fourth year as a South Florida resident.
“I kind of felt that, especially during the whole parade,” he says. “It makes you feel good about what you’ve been bringing to a city that you’re not from.
“They always say, `Wade County,’ like they feel I’m a part of something I came into so quick.”
Now the true question is Dwyane starting to become legendary down in South Florida like the great Dan Marino? Marino never led the Phin’s to a superbowl win yet Dwyane has done it with the Heat within his first 5 years. Dwyane has definitley won South Florida’s adulation.
“There’s a possibility that Dwyane could reach the heights of Dan Marino,” coach Pat Riley says of the ultimate South Florida sports icon. “But Dan Marino is the prodigal sports son in this town, and he’s got a legacy and a legend, borne in 20 years of being here. That takes time.”
At 24, Wade has time, a championship and a home where his heart is.
“After signing an extension here,” he says, “this is a place I’m going to be for a while. As I continue to learn more about Miami, it’s like home, it feels like home.
“Just like Chicago is my home no matter what, Miami will always be that, and not because of the good weather, just because of what I have built here, and the relationships I have built here, and the people.”
So what do you guys think? Has Dwyane taken over that spot in your heart where Marino once sat? Or does he have some more work to do to replace that spot where the immortal one Dan Marino sits?
Source: Sun-Sentinel
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11:11 am on December 29th, 2006
In my opinion — he’s not far off. But he’s not there yet. Obviously winning a championship gives Wade an edge. But this is a Dolphins town first and foremost. It always will be. And it can be argued that if there was no Marino, there wouldn’t be a Heat or Marlins or Panthers. Time will tell I guess.
For me personally, no one will ever replace Marino. But that’s because he’s my childhood hero. It’s different now that I’m an adult (late twenties). My admiration and fandom for Wade is huge, very HUGE. But what I feel for him now is different than what I felt for Marino as a kid. So the answer to the question may come down to generational gaps. I guess the best way to put it is how New Englanders might feel about Ted Williams and Tom Brady. Here, in years to come, Marino will be Williams and Wade, Brady. Does that make sense? Hope so.
Ok … my guest column for the SporTech is now over.
11:49 am on December 29th, 2006
See there is a huge difference between your situation and my situation. I grew up in New Jersey and moved down here in 92. So I got some exposure to Marino and would say he quickly became my favorite South Florida athlete.
I have really enjoyed watching Dwyane Wade develop from the start and he has quickly become my favorite South Florida sports figure along with Dontrelle Willis.
I understand the South Florida sports fan’s mentality though. It’s definitley a football town first.
12:20 pm on December 29th, 2006
Can’t argue with Wade or D-Train. It’s an interesting topic you’ve come up with here. And it’s funny that you came here in ‘92 from New Jersey. I came from another state as well (Connecticut) but much earlier than 92 (’84). So I guess it’s all about perspective.
It’ll be interesting to see how Wade’s status evolves here in Miami over the next decade and into the rest of his career. It’s a fun discussion and I’m proud to have two icons of sports like Marino and Wade representing our home town teams.
1:23 pm on December 29th, 2006
I would love for us to get a stadium for the Marlins and lock Cabrera and Willis in longterm. Would love to have a Ted Williams type icon down here for baseball like a Miguel Cabrera. South Floridian’s would relate well to a Venezuelan born baseball icon.