This story appears in the April 8, 2019, issue of Sports Illustrated. For more great storytelling and in-depth analysis, subscribe to the magazine—and get up to 94% off the cover price. Click here for more.
Erik Spoelstra remembers the first time he was surprised by Dwyane Wade. Spo was an assistant coach with the Heat and Wade was a 6' 4" rookie guard at one of his first practices. “It was a swing pass, and he picked it off. It happened so fast—he came from the middle of the paint, stepped into the passing lane and took one dribble and dunked it,” says Spoelstra, perhaps exaggerating a bit.