Dwyane Wade Says He Needs Three Championship Rings

The Miami Heat begin their title defense this weekend, and Dwyane Wade is thinking about his legacy. For Wade to be truly satisfied with his NBA career, he says that he needs a third title. Per the AP: “He’s rich, which he says he always wanted. He’s famous, which he says he never wanted. His on-court legacy is secure. Al that’s left, he said, is winning more titles. And the quest for the player who wears No. 3 to win ring No. 3 starts this weekend, when the Heat will open an Eastern Conference first-round series at home against the Milwaukee Bucks. ‘I feel like I need three rings. After that, I’m playing with church’s money,’ Wade said. ‘I’ve always said that if I can end my career with at least three rings … I’ve already had a special career, but it would put me in that special group that only a few can say that they’re in. It would mean a lot. It would mean a lot. It would mean a lot.’ In a year where some say things like his scoring numbers — 21.2 points per game, his lowest since his rookie season but still eighth-best in the NBA — were proof that his skills are vanishing, Wade is shooting better than 50 percent for the first time. And only four NBA players are averaging at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game this season, that group including Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant, James and Wade. […] ‘I mean, let’s talk about the obvious,’ Wade said. ‘Guys get older. That’s obvious. Yes, I’ve gotten older. Yes, my game has changed. But let’s talk production. I’m a productive player. My numbers show it. I buy into the efficiency numbers — more than I should and it drives me crazy that I buy into it. I look around the league and see guys shooting 41 percent and they’re getting patted on the back. I’m shooting 52 percent and I’m on the decline?'”