Dwyane Wade Says MJ Was the Most Influential Adult Figure in His Life Besides His Sister: “Michael Jordan Doesn’t Understand the Impact He Made on Me”

Published 12/21/2021, 2:30 PM EST

Throughout his playing career, Michael Jordan inspired younger NBA aspirants to take the sport professionally. His competitiveness and desire to succeed also rubbed off on his young viewers. Jordan famously played for the Chicago Bulls alongside a host of other NBA stars. One such Jordan fan and former NBA player spoke about the former’s influence on him.

NBA great Dwyane Wade revealed the influences on his adult life to Lewis Howes on the latter’s YouTube channel. While mentioning his sister, Wade disclosed that NBA legend Michael Jordan also influenced his life. Mentioning that he hailed from Chicago, Wade admitted that Jordan remained unaware of his and the Bulls’ influence on Wade.

Wade said, “Michael didn’t know that this was that all these moments and whether he was talking to me, whether he was playing the game of basketball. He didn’t know, he didn’t know the influence that he was having on a little kid, you know growing up in the inner city of rob’s Illinois in Chicago. And his influence was so impactful on me.”

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Dwyane Wade enjoyed a 16-year career in the NBA. Considered a franchise legend by Miami Heat’s fans, Wade won three NBA titles with the franchise. He won the 2012 and 2013 NBA titles forming a partnership in a trio that included him, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh. He played for Jordan’s ex-franchise the Chicago Bulls between 2017 to 2018.

Jordan only spent 15 seasons in the NBA but won six NBA titles with the Bulls.

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Michael Jordan and his influence on basketball

The 90s witnessed the Chicago Bulls led by the wizardry of Jordan dominate the NBA. Children were often told to “be like Mike“. Jordan’s influence on the game was so immense that coaches instructed aspirant kids to emulate Jordan’s play style. His reputation along with shoe deals with Nike increased his fame globally.

Jordan’s insane athletic ability powered him to numerous successes with the Bulls. He also featured in the US national men’s basketball team success. Jordan remains a two-time Olympic gold medal. The nicknames of ‘Air Jordan’ and ‘His Airness’ are still used to refer to Jordan for his popularization of slam dunks.

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Shalom Saldanha is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing his journalism degree, he has previously worked as a sports corresspondent for India Shorts/Business Upturn. A Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks fan, Shalom primarily got into the sport after discovering that he shared a mutual love for Arsenal with the 'Greek Freak'.

Dwyane Wade Says MJ Was the Most Influential Adult Figure in His Life Besides His Sister: “Michael Jordan Doesn’t Understand the Impact He Made on Me”

Michael Jordan and his influence on basketball

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