Where some rivalries drive the opponents away from each other, at times some rivalries bring two opponents so close that it changes their perspective about the game and themselves. It is something that happened with Dwyane Wade in the case of Kobe Bryant.

While talking to J.J. Redick and Tommy Alter on their podcast titled The Old Man and the Three back in August 2020, Wade shared how Bryant responded upon being told about Wade coming off the bench at the 2008 Olympics.

"When he heard I wasn't starting, I'm sure he knew like, man, this is tough for D Wade not to be starting on this team, but he came to me right away, and he eased my mind. He was like, when you get in the game, and it's me and you on the floor, this is what I'm gonna do. I'll pick up 94 feet and turn these guys; once I turn them, you do what you do," Wade said on The Old Man and the Three podcast.

This moment was important as Wade was already a four-time All-Star and the reigning Finals MVP at that point, and yet he believed that he could not match Bryant in stature.

The fact that Bryant would take time to set up a five-year veteran player demonstrated his status on that "Redeem Team."

That rivalry was emblematic of its time because both Wade and Bryant were recognized as the two best shooting guards of the 2000s.

Wade had the better head-to-head track record against his rival, as he won 11 of their 20 regular-season games by a margin of 11-9.

In fact, the relationship became even closer during the summer, as both players helped the Redeem Team win the Olympic gold medal, following their disappointment with the bronze medal from Athens four years prior.

The quest for gold is just one episode in Wade's Hall of Fame career, and his life outside the Olympics is no less exciting.

Dwyane Wade's Legacy Beyond The Court

Wade retired from the NBA in April 2019, ending a 16-year-long career that was founded on three championship titles for the Miami Heat.

His retirement season had the name "One Last Dance" and gave Wade a chance to say goodbye to everyone in the league at 37.

Instead of waiting for his body to make the decision, Wade chose to end his career while he was still performing well, ending it with a triple-double performance against the Brooklyn Nets.

He was recognized quickly by Miami, which retired his No. 3 jersey and erected a statue at their arena before he was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. He currently is the franchise’s record holder in points (21,556), assists (5,310), and steals (1,492).

Wade has been equally busy outside of basketball, pursuing a second career in broadcasting and investing in the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Sky franchises.

Do you have a favorite moment from Dwyane Wade’s career? Let us know in the comments section.

Read more at Air Jordan Chronicles!

Written by

Utsav Gupta

Edited by

Utsav Gupta