As the National Basketball Association wraps up another season, rookies LeBron James’ and… As the National Basketball Association wraps up another season, rookies LeBron James’ and Carmelo Anthony’s teams are battling for their playoff lives.

As of yesterday, James’ Cleveland Cavaliers sit two games out of the post-season with two games remaining on their schedule, while Anthony’s Denver Nuggets are tied with the Utah Jazz for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

One of these two players will most likely be named “Rookie of the Year,” regardless of whether or not their team qualifies for the post-season.

But in the midst of all the hype surrounding these two players, one rookie has put together an excellent season and taken his team to the place to which James and Anthony are aspiring.

Pitt fans should remember him well. He scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half of last year’s regional semifinal NCAA Tournament game to lead Marquette to a 77-74 victory over the Panthers that ended their season and Brandin Knight’s extraordinary collegiate career.

That man, Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, has averaged slightly more than 16 points and four rebounds per game during his first professional season in helping the Heat to a .500 record, good enough for the fifth playoff spot in a weak Eastern Conference.

A solid season by anyone’s standards, Wade has produced consistently for the Heat despite being the team’s third option, behind Eddie Jones and Lamar Odom.

As the primary scoring options on the Cavaliers and Nuggets, James and Anthony average approximately 21 points per game apiece. Wade manages to score 16 points per game on a team that features two other players who average more than 17 points.

Unfortunately, most people who vote for the “Rookie of the Year” don’t take into account the performances of the candidates’ teams, similar to the people who vote for the Wooden Award for the most valuable player in college basketball.

For instance, the Wooden Award’s voters seemed to forget that Connecticut’s Emeka Okafor led his team to both the Big East and National championships, whereas St. Joseph’s Jameer Nelson, the Wooden Award winner, failed to earn even a conference title.

Anyway, back to Wade’s case for “Rookie of the Year.” Considering that during the last two years Miami had a combined record of 61-103, with no playoff appearances, the benefits of adding Wade become even more apparent.

With Wade, the Heat is in the post-season for the first time in three years and is two games away from a winning record for the regular season.

While Wade may not have the flashy numbers that James and Anthony do, he has been more successful in his career thus far and should at least be recognized for that.

And while James and Anthony might be making plans for early summer vacations, Wade and the Heat will be playing for a championship in the 2004 NBA playoffs — a significant achievement of a different type.

David Shearouse is a staff writer for The Pitt News and he would like to thank David Castillo for organizing last weekend’s festivities. David Shearouse’s idea for this column emerged in the blurry hours that ensued.