Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports activities
Exterior of a quick 46-game stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Corridor of Fame 2-guard Dwyane Wade solely wore the No. 3 jersey in his spectacular profession. Backed by his 13 All-Star appearances, his eight All-NBAs and, most significantly, his three championships and one Finals MVP, Wade was our decide as the very best participant ever to don the long-lasting No. 3, though he had some critical competitors, specifically within the type of Chris Paul and Allen Iverson.
Talking of Iverson, Wade stated at his Corridor of Fame induction ceremony that he “respectfully” wore the No. 3 in school and the professionals due to him:
“Michael Jordan was my favourite participant. However as I used to be rising up as a child, as Michael Jordan determined to retire from the sport, Allen Iverson grew to become the hero of our tradition,” Wade stated. “I believe lots of people know I put on No. 3, however lots of people don’t know why I put on No. 3. And so I simply needed to take this second as a possibility that’s alleged to be about me, and I needed to have the ability to shine gentle and provides flowers to people that enable me and assist me get right here,” Wade added.
Wade additionally stated again in 2011 that he wore the No. 3 in honor of the holy trinity.
Wade has worn different numbers all through his basketball profession. He wore No. 25 in highschool, in addition to No. 9 on a number of events, each in Cleveland and with Group USA within the ‘06 World Championships and the ‘08 Olympics. Within the ‘04 Olympics, Wade wore No. 6.
Wade’s good pal, LeBron James, really needed to negotiate with then-rookie Cedi Osman, who was initially slated to put on No. 9 with the Cavs earlier than Wade determined to affix the staff and selected that as his quantity. Whether or not Wade needed to pay Osman for the quantity has by no means been made public info.
Wade selected No. 9 within the Olympics as a tribute to Michael Jordan, who iconically wore the quantity within the ‘92 Olympics as a member of the Dream Group. Wade and James traded numbers as Group USA members after a quick and simple dialogue about it:
One participant who did search 9 due to Jordan was James’ pal Dwyane Wade, who was given six for the 2004 Olympics.
After these Video games, James and Wade traded numbers.
“I’m taking a look at him like, ‘Bro, I actually need quantity 9,’” Wade stated. “And he’s like, ‘Excellent, ‘trigger I actually need quantity six.’ And so it was a straightforward swap.”
Wade led the 2008 Redeem Group in scoring.
Now, Wade, nice as he was, did have some very robust competitors, and though we did finally decide him, Paul particularly made this a really tough alternative. Paul has worn No. 3 in any respect seven of his stops within the NBA and has three extra All-NBA appearances than Wade did in his profession. Regardless, we went with Wade based mostly on the actual fact he was capable of lead his personal staff to a championship as its finest participant, whereas Paul has had his share of playoff shortcomings.
Most not too long ago, Spurs ahead Keldon Johnson willingly gave up his No. 3 jersey in San Antonio, which he wore as a result of he admired Paul. Johnson switched to No. 0, although, so Paul might preserve his No. 3 jersey.
Simply to point out simply how loopy this quantity stuff can get for gamers, in keeping with Paul and Wade, the duo nearly grew to become teammates in Miami, with James, however the plans finally fell via… as a result of they couldn’t determine which one in all them would put on No. 3.
Wade says a part of the convo went as follows:
Wade: That’s my quantity!
Paul: Nicely, that’s my quantity. What are we going to do? CP6? Naw, that ain’t it.
….
Wade: I wasn’t going to D-9. I’ll sacrifice getting touches, I’ll sacrifice getting probably the most cash. However I’m not giving up my quantity!
Simply how facetious the duo was being on the podcast isn’t completely clear, however Wade was adamant that after everybody was getting excited concerning the potential to staff up on South Seaside and had talks on the cellphone about it, the dialogue about who would put on the No. 3 “ended the entire dialog”.
The quantity three might need price Miami a dynasty within the ‘10s.
Runner-ups: Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, Anthony Davis
