Comparing the games of LeBron and D-Wade

by Charley Rosen

GAME TIME: Cavs 93, Heat 86

This latest confrontation between Cleveland and Miami provided an opportunity to compare the performances of two of the game's elite players — LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

LeBron vs. D-Wade

Player	MIN	FGA	3FGA	FT	REB	A	ST	BS	TO	FLS	PTS
Wade	39	12-25	0-2	5-7	4	8	2	0	2	2	29
James	42	12-19	2-4	7-12	6	9	0	1	2	1	33

OFFENSE

Both players totally dominated the ball when their respective teams had possession. Oddly enough, each had 76 touches overall.

On mid-range jumpers, James was 2-of-2, while Wade was 3-of-6. On long-range jumpers, James hit 5-of-11, and Wade managed only 2-of-6 (including an air-ball). Although neither has a shooter's stroke, LBJ's release is somewhat smoother and even his misses were softer. Advantage: James.

LeBron's mediocre showing from the stripe has been a problem throughout his career. The only explanations are a failure of concentration, shooting too quickly, as well as his own lack of confidence. Advantage: Wade.

Both are virtually unstoppable in a broken field. Wade has a long and quick last step and incredible creativity when he approaches the basket. LBJ isn't quite as quick, but is equally as creative and has a more efficient cross-over (both ways). LeBron's edge is his power — defenders simply bounce off of him when he attacks the hole. Advantage: James.

There isn't much to choose between the passing abilities of these two guys. However, since Cleveland responds to LeBron's penetrations by spreading their shooters, James has an easier time delivering the ball to open teammates. Wade has the slightest edge in passing to rolling bigs.

But LBJ's size is the deciding factor here. Double-teams don't bother him as much as they do Wade. Plus, he can pass the ball with his left hand better than Wade can. Advantage: James.

They're both top-notch ball-handlers, but James has a better grip on the rock when he's swarmed in the lane. Advantage: James.

For the most part, both start offensive sets in one corner or the other, then use a screen to come to the top and receive the ball. In the clutch, however, they simply carry the ball across the time-line. Even so, Wade is much more active without the ball — cutting, curling, and setting screens. Advantage: Wade.

Neither player has a discernible edge in the following offensive categories: Court awareness, willingness to sacrifice, quick shot-release, and ability to penetrate.

DEFENSE

For most of the game, LeBron was matched up with Shawn Marion, who didn't offer much resistance (except when James tried to post him) on either end. Indeed, the Matrix tallied a mere four points, and for most of the game looked like he was playing in a pickup game with four strangers.

As the game raced to the wire, however, James switched over to Wade with mixed results:

Wade shot over him and bagged a 20-footer.

Wade beat James off the dribble twice, but quick-footed baseline rotations caused him to lose the ball on both occasions.

When LBJ went under a handoff, Wade pulled right and buried another 20-footer.

James reached for Wade's dribble and came up empty, allowing Wade to get to the hoop where he was fouled by Zydrunas Ilguaskas.

Wade made several passes that gained no advantage for the Heat.

James' defense on Wade was abetted by double-teams. Wade responded by tossing a neat pass to Udonis Haslem who was open underneath the basket but bobbled the ball out-of-bounds. Another pass by Wade found Marcus Banks unguarded on the right wing, but Banks missed the shot.

On the other hand, Wade played Delonte West nose-to-nose for most of the game — and, unlike Marion, West was aggressive on offense. Wade was lifted in the third-quarter by a West head-fake 25-feet from the hoop, and also overplayed West's left-hand too much in the last minute of play -- and was burned when West drove right and was fouled.

Still, Wade was much more active on defense than James — ball-hawking, rotating, challenging passing lanes, and never taking a play off. Advantage: Wade.

Whatever Wade concedes to James in size in the battle of the boards, he almost makes up for with hustle, hops, and sheer determination. Still, James is much more of a glass-eater. Advantage: James.

The X-factor in comparing these two guys is the quality of their teammates. Wade tries to do more simply because he has to do more — which is why he sometimes forces his penetrations and takes ill-advised shots.

James, though, is surrounded by guys like West, Mo Williams, Boobie Gibson, Wally Szczerbiak, Sasha Pavlovic, and even Ilgauskas, who can routinely knock down any open shots that his drives-and-dishes can create for them. Also, James can cruise on defense because he has the bigs who can protect his back.

In the final accounting, it's still LeBron by a landslide — which has more to do with his overall brilliance than with any major flaws in D-Wade's game.

If only LBJ was a more polished shooter and had quicker feet on defense, he'd be as good as Kobe Bryant. But since James is obviously working hard on his (relative) weaknesses, it may not be long before he will indeed become the undisputed king of NBA basketball.