LeBron James Had Two Words for NBA Legend Dwyane Wade on Friday

LeBron James Had Two Words for NBA Legend Dwyane Wade on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

LeBron James has played alongside some of the greatest players in NBA history, but few partnerships have left a lasting imprint like the one he shared with Dwyane Wade. Both entered the league in the 2003 NBA Draft, James as the first overall pick and Wade at fifth. Years later, their union on the Miami Heat produced one of the most electrifying duos the league has seen.

Wade’s relentless attacking style and James’ unmatched athleticism created a highlight reel that defined an era for the Heat. Among all of James’ teammates, Wade stood out not just as a champion but as a player whose chemistry on the court has developed into a relationship off the court.

LeBron James Shows Respect to Dwayne Wade on Instagram

Even in retirement, Wade continues to remind fans of his career brilliance. The former guard recently posted a highlight reel on Instagram with the caption: “I’m not responsible for putting these highlites together but I’m personally responsible for these highlites 🏀⚡️🏆3️⃣.”

The post garnered a flurry of reactions from fans and NBA players, including James who made a two-word comment in recognition of Wade’s style of play:

“TOO TOUGH!!!!!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️”

Wade’s career was filled with accolades. He guided Miami to its first NBA championship in 2006, earning Finals MVP honors. Later, as part of the Heat’s “Big Three” with James and Chris Bosh, he won two more titles and made four consecutive Finals appearances.

Wade was also a 13-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and scoring champion, and cemented himself as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history. His legacy is not only defined by achievements but also by the enduring relationships he built, including his celebrated partnership with James.

LeBron James Has Not Made His Retirement Decision Clear

While Wade retired from professional basketball in 2019, James continues to defy “Father Time” and is entering his 23rd NBA season. The Los Angeles Lakers forward is coming off an impressive 2024-25 campaign where he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds in 70 games en route to a Second-Team All-NBA selection and 21st All-Star appearance.

Already in the final stretch of his illustrious career, James, who turns 41 in December, is under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers but speculation continues about how much longer he will play. While he has not hinted at an immediate retirement, he has one year left on his contract with the Lakers after picking up his $52.3 million player option and could become a free agent next season.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.