Boston Celtics: The 25 Most Hated Opponents
By Bill Speros
15. Dwyane Wade
As the rivalry between the Celtics and Miami Heat matured, Dwyane Wade was at its epicenter. He was at Shaquille O’Neal’s side when the Pat Riley-coached Heat won their first NBA title in 2006. He was LeBron James’ wingman as the Celtics and Heat slugged it out in the regular season and playoffs after King James took his talents to South Beach. Wade nearly ripped off Rajon Rondo’s arm in Game 3 of the 2011 Eastern Conference finals.
The resulting injury left the Celtics without any realistic possibility of beating the Heat. In the 2011-12 season opener, hostilities resumed. Wade called a Rondo foul “a punk play” and Rondo responding by proclaiming the Heat guard “a dirty player.” Later in that season, Avery Bradley of the Celtics scored a modicum of revenge on Wade when he scrambled from behind for a fierce. Bradley continued to stymie Wade three seasons later when he swatted a shot by Wade to help preserve a Celtics win in December of 2015.
Next: No. 14 -- Sampson