Dwyane Wade says he's playing hurt right now and is not a full strength, while Pat Riley says that Wade, who was torched by Luol Deng in Game 1, has to do a much better job on the defensive end of things going forward.
''I'm not the D-Wade I'm used to being right now,'' he said. ``My quickness is not there. I'm trying to be smarter. I'm trying to use my mind more than my athleticism. I don't think [coaches and teammates] really know that as much as I do. It's frustrating. But I'm here to play.'' Riley basically threw down the gauntlet and challenged Wade to be better in Game 2. ''Regardless of the condition you're in, you're going to have to guard somebody,'' Riley said of Wade. ``Now, it's all about stepping up and taking pride at both ends of the court. Hinrich, Deng and Gordon -- they have to be shut down. They've got to be contained, and [Wade] is one of the guys who has to do that.'' The Heat will almost have to make some defensive adjustments for Tuesday's game, and it will be interesting to see how Wade reacts to Riley's challenge. Apr. 23 - 9:47 am et
Source: Miami Herald


Say what you will about Riley, but he isn't afraid to confront his super stars. Why can't we have a coach like that?

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"Quite simply captain, I examined the problem from all angles, and it was plainly hopeless. Logic informed me that under the circumstances, the only logical action would have to be one of desperation. Logical decision, logically arrived at." -- Spock

This seems like a pretty lame thing for Wade to say:

I don't expect him to go all "IT'S ON ME" a la T-Mac, but you're not supposed to throw your teammates under the bus like that. Unless it's some Jordan-type thing to get them more motivated, but...I'm not seeing that here.

Yep.

Riley never implied it was all his fault, but Wade tried to shift the focus off himself.

We can call him Dwyane "Lame" instead of "Wade". It will cover both his mental & physical state.

Oh wait...I like the guy.

Wade has confirmed once again that he is the biggest crybaby in the NBA. If you are so hurt from your injuries that you hurt your team - DON'T PLAY. But pointing your fingers at the other guys on the team? That is usually the beginning of the end. Do we have to relive Kobe-Shaq thing again with to superstars on the team not getting along? How many championships could Kobe and Shaq have won if they just gutted their relationship out? I just hope Bulls or Pistons hurt Miami and finally put them out of their misery.

I understand that Wade is hurt, I think we all know that he is hurting out there and is not 100%. However, if you are gonna play in the game and try to be a major contributor I dont want to hear any excuses afterwards. In saying that a lot of players that are dinged up are having a "hard" time out there. If this guy in the next game goes for 40 believe me you wont hear anythng as far as he being "injured." If you are gonna play nobody wants to hear it, excuses that is.

If I sound tough I have to be because I remember in 05 when Wade was supposedly hurt all I heard down here in South Florida was "if Wade wasnt hurt we would have beaten you guys." My response was and always will be " I do recall the series as the Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons, not Shaq and Wade vs the Pistons. This is the playoffs players get hurt, get dinged up this is the nature of the game. That is why the bench is so vital so that when when an injury does happen your team still has a chance to win.

Obviously Wade and Shaq must not be as tight as we all think. Mr. Fat ass would have surely advised him against making excuses about being 100%. I agree with the suggestions that if you are not fit to play at a high level, then don`t play at all. IMO, that is exactly what Riley is telling him. If you can`t put up your 30-40 point perfomances then at least play some defense, if not you are just in the way.

Yes D-Wade, YOU ARE IN THE WAY IF YOU AREN`T PRODUCING!!

That is a hard pill to swallow for Mr Wade........lol

I wouldn`t put him in my 5 either.......

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"We are going to be really good offensively and definsively, we are going to be a team that can beat you 120-110, or beat you 80-70" Coach Michael Curry on the 2008-2009 Pistons.

That post was awesome, Dlev.

The only thing lamer than Wade's complaining is his commercials. Every new one is worse than the previous ones. I saw the latest one yesterday for the first time, where he's putting...good lord.

Although Charles is actually an even worse actor than Wade is.

2007 Playoff records:
Flip 1-0
Riley 0-1

Opposites.

I don't know. That one where the waitress thinks Charles is Wade's Dad is a real knee-slapper.

Those commercials are all terrible, but at least that girl delivers her lines reasonably convincingly. The other ones just leave you stuck with these two guys who act about as well as Michael Jordan plays blackjack.