Dwyane Wade Shares Candid Thoughts on Kobe Bryant’s Influence
LeBron James’ decision to join the Miami Heat and form a superteam with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh remains one of the most debated moves in NBA history. A key factor behind that decision? Kobe Bryant.
For years, critics questioned whether Kobe could win without Shaquille O’Neal. Despite putting up some of the best individual seasons in league history, he struggled to secure another championship—until the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol. With Gasol’s help, Bryant went on to win back-to-back titles, which, according to Wade, had a major ripple effect.
Speaking on *The Underground Lounge*, Wade explained, *“When Pau Gasol went to the Lakers, it changed everything… They just gave him to Kobe. Kobe wins two championships in a row. How are we supposed to compete with that? We had to figure out our own way.”*
Dwyane Wade Shares Candid Thoughts on Kobe Bryant’s
Wade even considered leaving Miami after seeing Bryant collect his fifth championship while he had only one. But instead of him departing, LeBron and Bosh came to the Heat.
*”Now, Kobe has five rings. I have one. Bron has none. He’s leaving us behind. So I knew that summer had to be different,”* Wade said. *“I needed more talent because I was playing with below-average rosters. Then I got the call from Bron, and everything changed.”*
At one point, Wade even contemplated joining the Chicago Bulls to team up with Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah. But ultimately, the trio of Wade, LeBron, and Bosh formed in Miami, leading to two championships in four years.
Dwyane Wade Shares Candid Thoughts on Kobe Bryant’s
Some argue that the Heat superteam underachieved and could have won more. However, they made the Finals all four seasons before LeBron returned to Cleveland.
As for Bryant, he never won another championship after his fifth, retiring as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Wade finished with three rings, while LeBron—still playing at age 40—continues his pursuit of a fifth title with the Los Angeles Lakers.
