iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
William Laney

GET UPDATES FROM William Laney
 

The James and Wade Show Is an Act for the Ages

Posted: 05/29/2012 3:12 pm

There have been a number of notable "dynamic duos" in team sports over the years -- two team members whose performances rise way above the norm, and whose derring-do leaves audiences gasping in amazement.

In major league baseball, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig did that with their heavy hitting nearly a century ago; and in 1961, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris did it with their twin assault on the home run record. And in pro football, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice did it with their throw it and catch it heroics that won multiple championships.

In professional basketball, there have been a number of super tandems -- Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and then Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, are two that immediately come to mind.

But now there is a new and terrific dynamic duo on the sports stage -- a high-flying act to rival anything Barnum and Bailey ever had to offer. It's the Lebron James and Dwayne Wade show that is presently performing every other night in the National Basketball Association playoffs.

And just as it is with Magic and Kareem, and with Michael and Scottie, their exploits will be remembered, and mentioned often, many years after Father Time has brought their careers to a close.

Night after night, game after game, on offense and on defense, they are now working together as never before to produce plays that sometimes defy belief. Many of those who have long followed, and love the game of basketball, as well as more casual sports fans, must surely find themselves sometimes thinking, "I can't believe what I just saw".

In these days of overpaid athletes, and overpriced tickets, Lebron James and Dwayne Wade are well worth the price of admission -- or a couple hours of TV time.

 
FOLLOW SPORTS
There have been a number of notable "dynamic duos" in team sports over the years -- two team members whose performances rise way above the norm, and whose derring-do leaves audiences gasping in amazem...
There have been a number of notable "dynamic duos" in team sports over the years -- two team members whose performances rise way above the norm, and whose derring-do leaves audiences gasping in amazem...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 5
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
08:08 AM on 05/31/2012
Duos are OK, I suppose. But how about a quintet...any one of several Celtic lineups...starting with Cousy and the Joneses and Heinsohn and Havlichek and Satch...oh, and Bill Russell. Eleven championships in thirteen years. Unmatched in pro sports.

So let's talk about Wade and James sometime during the 2020 NBA Finals and see where they are in the pantheon of b-ball history.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Trentonjordan
87 US cities and counting
08:51 PM on 05/30/2012
Comparing Wade & James to Jordan & Pippen? Magic & Kareem? This article makes me wonder if Mr. Laney is qualified to write a article about basketball. Jordan & Pip have 6 rings as a duo, 6-0 in the Finals. Magic & Kareem have 5 rings together. James & Wade are 0-1 in the Finals as teammates. James is 0-2 by himself in the Finals for his career, James teams are 2-6 in the Finals. And, to top it off, the Spurs will win the championship this year because they are a TEAM, not individual talent. OKC Thunder have great individual talent and they will most likely get swept, this is Miami's future. Mr. Laney obviously must be talking about the sizzle and not the taste. James may very well go his entire career without winning a ring, doesn't sound like Jordan or Magic to me.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
09:31 AM on 05/30/2012
"night after night, game after game"..huh? these two have been part of an underproductive, fractious formulaic Miami offense all year long that beyond individual spectacular plays here and there is NOT stellar...Better combinations- and better quality teamwork - has been provided by better duos- baylor/west, russell/cousy, russsell/havlicek ( the maestros of the fast break) and others. please stop fawning over a duo that often induces yawning.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
R2D2-51
Flower Power Forever
05:54 PM on 05/29/2012
They have a ways to go yet, but after watching all of the playoff's thus far(East & West) the West in both Oklahoma Thunder, & the San Antonio Spurs are playing much better basketball than anyone in the East has with the exception of the Heat as of late.

The proof in the pudding for the Heat will come when they finally get tested in the Final Act for the NBA by the Spurs- whom I believe will take the Thunder in 6.

Having done that, maybe Batman & Robin will finally get their due.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
12:25 AM on 05/30/2012
Justice League, the Spurs versus the Avengers, the Heat.