When the topic of best draft classes in NBA history comes up, the 2003 class comes up immediately in every basketball fan’s mind. It may have been a little top heavy, but the top of the draft was so stacked with Hall of Fame talent, that it can be forgiven. First and foremost was LeBron James, and we all know his story. But then came Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade back-to-back-to-back in an unprecedented stretch of home run picks.
All three players were obviously highly regarded, but no one could have seen what the three would become throughout their careers. Bosh and Wade have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Anthony is a lock once he’s eligible in 2026. James leads all four players with four NBA Championships, but Wade finished right behind him with three of his own. Of course, two of those were won when James, Bosh and Wade were on the Miami Heat together.
Fat Joe wanted Dwyane Wade to plat at legendary Rucker Park
Wade’s legacy is certainly intact following an incredible career, but there was one decision he made that didn’t sit right with a famous rapper in particular. Fat Joe, the New York based music artist, recently told the story of Wade refusing to play at the legendary Rucker Park near Harlem.
Somebody who I love, who never came, and I begged him 70,000 times is D-Wade. He would never come to Rucker Park and I was with him. I’m in Miami every day… I was like, they want to see you. He never. That’s the one player that I really wanted to see in his prime at the Rucker and he just, he wouldn’t come.
Anthony, on the same podcast with Fat Joe, replied by saying that it wasn’t Wade’s style. He was likely referring to the streetball nature of the games that are played at the outside court.
Rucker Park has become legendary and synonymous with anything New York and basketball related. Some of the greatest players the sport has seen either crafted their game there or visited and played after honing their craft elsewhere. From Wilt Chamberlain to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Kobe Bryant to Kevin Durant, greatness has graced the court.
Wade chose not to partake in the tradition, but he surely had his reasons. Nothing takes away from the outstanding career Wade had and the person he is.
