Wade and See

The Heat are wading into familiar territory. Another playoff run and yet, another final showdown. This time, it is the Pistons. The award, a trip to face the Spurs in the Finals.

This would be the culmination of a huge trade the Heat made almost a year ago to land the big talent of Shaquille O'neal. A reversal of fortunes for two franchises, it seems. But if there is to be any success to this deal, any truth to the champagne wishes for these once hamburger dreams, it will come down to the fate of yet another figure - that of the young talent Dwyane Wade.

Much speculation has mounted since Wade went down with a rib injury in Game 5. Yet, this was the same game which the Heat won mostly without Wade and actually built up a lead while their young star was on the bench or in the locker room being attended to by team doctors instead of Piston defenders.

Most seem to forget - this Heat team has revealed its character whenever one of its two stars has gone down. They beat Washington with Shaq resting his bruised thighs on the bench. Twice.

Can they pull the trick at least once without Wade?

There is a saying that seems to float around in times like this, attributed to John Wooden, the legendary UCLA coach. Pivotal games, like a game 7, don't build character, they reveal it. The Heat certainly have character, and it shall be revealed this night. And it will take all of the character that a Steve Smith or a Eddie Jones or a Christian Laettner can muster up for this game tonight.

But it remains to be seen what kind of performance we will get from Wade tonight. Will it be 'Jordanesque' - playing with a flu in the playoffs? Will it be like Willis Reed's inspiring performance for the Knicks, hobbling into Madison Square Garden?

Could it be that Wade sitting out Game 6 could actually work to the Heat's advantage? Maybe tonight he comes into Game 7 running on guts in order to boldly slash away at the Pistons' championship hopes as well as taking their belt from them?

One thing is for sure - Wade and see.