Coming off a very rough childhood, Dwyane Wade, with his athleticism, work ethic, and dedication to his craft, made an immediate impact after making it to the NBA. The number 5 pick of the 2003 Draft, went on to win 3 championships and make 13x All-Star appearances in his 16-year career. Growing up without a father and a drug-addict mother couldn’t stop him from becoming one of the best to ever dribble a basketball. And so, he keeps on delivering his knowledge to all the youngsters of the NBA like Kai Jones and Jalen Johnson who reaches out to him.
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Wade got himself a 4-year contract worth over $12 million when he came into the league. And despite having a troubling childhood he never went wild with his money. Kai, who plays for Hornets, and Jalen, a forward for the Hawks, each make around $3.3 million a year with their rookie contracts. And like any other young players of this age, they go through the difficulty of managing their life productively.
So, somebody who was an NBA champion and a Finals MVP at 24 years of age, is the ideal guy to mentor these youngins. And sure enough, Wade has stepped right up to give them the help they need.
When Dwyane Wade gave Kai Jones and Jalen Johnson a lesson for a lifetime
Both Kai and Jalen came into the league in 2021 as the 19th and 20th pick respectively. During the pre-season, they got the opportunity to share a practice facility with the Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade.
From workout suggestions to advice on how to be a pro, Wade taught the two youngsters several lessons on how to balance their off-the-court struggles, which is of utmost necessity.
D-Wade pointed at Jalen’s “Family” tattoo on his chest to tell them to think about whom they represent off the court whenever they have a difficult choice to make. Just watch the wholesome exchange in the following YouTube clip by ChrisJohnsonHoops.
“Off the court, you’ll also understand, you’re representing this (family). You need to always be thinking about your family. You’re representing your family.”
If Dom Toretto were real and listening in, there is no doubt in our minds Dwyane Wade would be part of the next high-speeded heist. But where did this thinking come from?
Wade credits Kobe Bryant for his learning
Coming into the league as a 21-year-old Wade followed the work ethic of the then 26-year-old Kobe Bryant, who was already a 3x NBA champ.
In years to follow, Bryant would set a precedent for Wade and other youngsters in the league by giving an insight into his insane workaholic lifestyle to whoever shared the training facility with him in LA or Team USA.
Wade got the chance to do so at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
That work ethic would allow Wade to come back from several injury troubles and play a crucial role in winning 2 championships in 2012 and ’13 and going down in history as one of the greatest to ever do it. So, he keeps doing what Kobe used to do – help everyone who seeks his advice.
