With nearly 17 years under his belt as an NBA player, LeBron James has had plenty of career moments, clutch plays and memorable outings to look back on. But Dwyane Wade, his former partner in crime, thinks his long two-point jumper over Kawhi Leonard in Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs was the most clutch shot he’s ever hit and the one that really solidified his status as a big-game player.
The shot probably won’t be remembered as a huge highlight where fans are concerned as it was relatively simple. Yet, with time winding down, it helped seal the deal for the Heat as they won their second consecutive title and third overall.
Mario Chalmers set a screen at the top of the key before James went across, fought past Tony Parker and hit a shot over Leonard’s outstretched hand.
“I knew we won at that moment,” Wade said during an Instagram Live session on Wednesday (H/T Bleacher Report), also claiming said shot was his favorite LeBron moment. “He needed that for his career.”
Wade pointed out that the 2013 title win was the one nothing could be taken from, claiming fans like to discredit their prior win against the Oklahoma City Thunder because the likes of Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and James Harden were only “pups” back then. Beating San Antonio in a seven-game series left little room for doubt, however.
