It's Monday, March 10th, and while the sun is shining and the Spring of Hope is almost upon us here in Utah, things in the tropical metropolis of Miami are looking a lot grayer. 4-time All-Star Dwayne Wade is having season-ending knee surgery this week, to repair the same knee that's been bothering him since having surgery last May.
Wade is joining center Alonzo Mourning and forward Dorell Wright on the Heat's crowded disabled list. He doesn't expect to pile up any additional minutes this season, but will join the American Olympic team this summer in Beijing.
This news doesn't look to affect the Heat too terribly, as they are currently the worst team in the NBA at 11-50. So coach Pat Riley, Wade and Heat executives determined to start Wade's summer 21 games early this year, giving him ample time to fully recover.
The operation is a non-surgical, shock wave treatment that looks to have its' 2006 Finals MVP operatee up and at 'em in just a couple weeks. However, basketball related activities won't be in Wade's physical therapy repertoire until at least 30 days after the surgery.
Wade finishes his 07-08 campaign fifth in the NBA in PPG, averaging 24.6 against his 38.2 minutes per game. Hopefully by time he returns in November, the Heat will have won a couple more games and improved their overall image that was so shining just 2 years ago. Amazing how the great ones, fall, huh? Yeah, Rome wasn't built in a day, but the 11-50, yes...11-50 2008 Miami Heat are less than 2 years removed from their 2006 52-30 campaign. But, hey - it could be worse. They could be spending $218.3 million to be escorted out of the playoffs just shy of the crown every year since 2000. Thanks New York. Now we know it could always be worse.
To read more on Dwayne Wade, check this out.
