Dwyane Wade is not widely considered the 3rd finest shooting guard for nothing. The first two spots in various discussions belong to Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. But being right behind legends like these speaks volumes of a player’s caliber. Shaquille O’Neal nicknamed Caliber “Flash” because of his breathtaking speed, which awed fans. So witnessing him go in person must be something. Validating this chain of thought during his show’s recent episode was Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
The former New York Knicks star took a trip down memory lane on his Thanalysis Show, recalling the first time he saw Wade at an All-Star game. What threw him off wasn’t just Wade’s presence—it was Shaq’s unexpected remark.
“Shaq walked by me, was like, ‘Oh, man, Dwyane Wade looking a–.’ I was like… Why would he say that?” Thanasis recalled. To this day, he might not have an answer to that, but one thing became clear—Wade had an aura that couldn’t be ignored. It didn’t take long for Thanasis to understand why.
“So amazing that I was. Watch his highlights. Watch how he plays… Sheer athleticism, the way he gets…,” Antetokounmpo said, sounding like a man still in awe of what he witnessed.
Well, this could sensibly be the effect of watching the 3x NBA champ in action. Thanasis’ co-host on Thanalysis Show, Tony Cartagena, further validated this by recalling his own experience of seeing D-Wade in person for the first time.
MIAMI, FL – MARCH 17: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat brings looks for the ball in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Arena on March 17, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Cartagena’s first time seeing The Flash in action? Back in 2003, when Wade was still hooping for Marquette. “I saw Dwyane Wade the year they made the run of the Final Four… And I was just like, oh, Marquette has a player who was in, like, fourth grade… They got a guy who’s really good. He turns out to be Dwyane Wade,” he shared.
If you need proof, that Wade had ‘it’ even before the NBA, look no further than ‘that legendary 2003 NCAA run. It started slow—just 15 points in a close win over Holy Cross. Nothing too flashy.
But then, Wade hit another gear. He dropped 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists against Missouri.
Next up? No. 2 Pittsburgh. Another thriller. Another Wade masterclass—22 points in a nail-biting 77-74 win. And then came the giant: No. 1 Kentucky. The overwhelming favorite. The supposed roadblock. Wade didn’t just rise to the occasion—he owned it. 29 points. 11 rebounds. 11 assists. A triple-double on the biggest stage.
The fact that he has not yet disassociated himself from how Marquette performs at the March Madness speaks volumes about his commitment to the game. It’s something extraordinary that the player showcased to the upper echelons of the NBA.
Dwyane Wade surfaces Mamba-mentality wherever he lands!
D-Wade is in no mood to just watch from the sidelines as his alma mater gears up for March Madness—he’s making sure they step onto the court with the right mindset. And who better to drive that point home than a Marquette legend himself? Teaming up with fellow alum Travis Diener, Wade delivered a powerful message through Marquette University’s official Instagram.
And yes, it automatically sets the tone for what’s to arrive!
But this isn’t just a pre-game pep talk. It’s a wake-up call. In the video, Wade and Diener dig deep into what makes Marquette basketball unique. This is not just about talent; it involves grit, resilience, and the fighting spirit that characterizes a winning team. The clip even throws it back to Wade’s CBS interview, where he reminisces about leading Marquette to the Final Four in 2003.
Back then, Kentucky was the team to beat. The Wildcats had all the hype, but Wade and his squad rewrote the script. And now? He sees history repeating itself—Marquette is being overlooked once again. The stakes are high, and Wade knows it. His 2003 run set the standard, and now, under Shaka Smart, the Golden Eagles would have a chance to go even further.
Wade’s message couldn’t be straightforward: “They’re counting you out just like they always have. This program is built on response. March doesn’t care how you got here. It only cares what you do next. Don’t wait for opportunities. Take them. It doesn’t matter what went right or wrong. What matters is what’s in front of you.”
Both Thanasis Antetokounmpo and his co-host, Tony, acknowledged the lasting impact of that attitude. Oh D-Wade, you are great!
The post Dwyane Wade’s Aura at First Encounter Left Permanent Impression on Ex-Knicks Star appeared first on EssentiallySports.