Is Wade the Best Player in the Game?

Ok, I know it may seem as a new low for me, but I cannot help but ask this question - and strangely, I have felt the answer for four years now. Simply put, yes, he is.

There is no player right now dominating the game, or even playing anywhere near the same level as Wade. No one.

He has raised his game ever since the season started. His scoring has gone up in each month: from 25 in October to 27 in November and December, to 30 points per contest in January, and now up to 31 for the month of February. His shooting percentage is at 49.5 on the season - daunting numbers which have Wade approaching Jordan territory. He is getting to the free throw line over 11 times a game; that shows how aggressive he plays and how futile defenses are against him.

You could match him up against anyone, and he will own you. Just ask the Spurs and now the Trailblazers.

After losing a game with an embarrassing performance against the Cavs, the Heat and Wade have stepped up. They took on the Spurs at home in a national telecast, and impressed upon everyone who watched what this team is capable of - they took a tight game and blew it open to a 15 point lead down the stretch to close it out. It was done with a smaller lineup, featuring Wade as the playmaker. All Wade did was go without a field goal in the first quarter, and then turn a sub-par game into an exhibition as he dropped 18 points in the fourth quarter against the Spurs. With Bruce Bowen guarding him.

But how does Wade follow up that game? With another amazing clutch performance against the Trailblazers.

Now, I know what you're saying, it's the Trailblazers. Sure, but they have talent and came to play - the game was tight entering the 4th quarter at 73-70. Just like in the Spurs game, Wade took over to snatch the game back from possible defeat; this time, he scored 16 points in the final quarter.

Yet, it isn't just pouring points in, but when the scores come. He scored three straight baskets in about a minute and a half of time to build up the Heat's lead and put a stamp on the game - ending up with 35 points for the game.

What is even more amazing is that none of this may have ever have happened - Wade took a big tumble with 9:36 left as he went up for a layup and came down on his shoulder. In visible pain, he was escorted by team doctor Ron Culp to the lockerroom, which has become an all-too familiar sight for Heat fans. Silence fell upon the crowd - could this really be happening just as the Heat were starting to win and get things back? And Riley was on his way back to the bench?

Wade emerged later from the lockerroom to re-enter the game and then dominate the Blazers. "I probably looked at the tunnel about seven times," Rothstein said. And when he returned, he went 7-11 from the field.

Stunning plays that seems to feature highlight reels every night. Scary moments where a near serious injury seems to be avoided by sheer will alone. Clutch performances that steal wins from teams - either during the regular season or in the playoffs. Wade is dominating the game in the way that would make even Steve Nash blush. It is a realistic statement, not beyond logic or even in the realm of fantasy, to say that Dwyane Wade is the best player in the NBA.

Even Joel Pryzbilla is taking notice - and you know you are doing something right when Pryzbilla notices: "He showed why he is one of the best players in the league. He just took over. They showed why they are the world champs."

How repetitive is that starting to sound?

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