Miami's Dwyane Wade Delays Surgery In Hope Of Returning For The Playoffs

By David
Kaye

Miami's superstar guard Dwyane Wade decided that rehab was the right answer for him and not surgery. After dislocating his left shoulder the NBA Finals MVP had the strenuous choice of either shutting it down for the season with the anticipation of being fully healthy for next season, or risking further injury by attempting a comeback towards the end of this season.

I'm not shocked by D-Wade's decision, but I feel that it is the wrong choice to make for a player who is 25, is entering the prime of his career and is one of the best players in the league. Is it worth returning for the playoffs when your team has no chance of winning? Granted, Dwyane Wade at 75-80% is better than anything Miami presently has, but what happens if his shoulder pops out of its socket and he re-injures himself, then what? At that point, it will be obvious to everyone that he should have opted for the surgery.

The Heat are currently 30-29 and hold the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The East is woeful, but at any point a team like New Jersey, Orlando, Indiana or even New York can over take Miami for their playoff spot. They are being lead by a 35-year old Shaquille O'Neal who can break down at any moment and their best shooter Jason Kapono just went down with a severely sprained ankle. The NBA's best three-point shooter will now be out indefinitely.

I congratulate Wade for being brave and attempting to return, but I just worry for his long- term health. He plays relentless and fearless basketball and that can result in him hurting his shoulder very easily. I understand that he's ''Flash'' but he will be forced to tone his game down once he returns. I also question if it's worth returning just to defend the NBA title when Wade will have numerous opportunities in his career to return. Shaq probably has another 2-3 years with the Heat and after he moves on Wade will still have the bonus of playing in the East.

Dwyane Wade proved during last year's playoffs that he's a clutch shooter, leader and premier NBA guard, but maybe ''Flash'' is trying to do too much. Remember, he's been in the league for a mere four seasons and the Heat's franchise player must look to his future, not the present situation.