I agree.
Wade at his peak was both a better scorer and a better defender.
Kobe is overrated in both aspects – he’s never been an efficient scorer in any season of his career and he’s not above average in any aspect of defense whereas Wade is one of the best shot blocking guards ever..
Kobe had a longer prime of course than Wade starting from 2001–2013 I would say is Kobe’s prime. In fact 2001 Kobe might be the best version of him since he averaged 29 PPG in the playoffs the most out of any playoff run leading to a chip, and was more efficient when he was younger as well as a more willing passer as well as a more consistent defender.
Wade’s prime was 2005–2012 and from 2013 his knees were pretty much done.
But comparing peak for peak I think the best example is the 2006 Heat which was Wade’s best year overall. He led a squad where his next best teammates were older Shaq, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, Udonis Haslem, James Posey and old Gary Payton coming off the bench to the championship. Then in the Finals he averages 35/8/4 and beats Dirk’s Mavs from 0–2 down which is incredible.
En route to the Finals, he beats the 2006 Pistons a 64 win team that is an improved version of the 2004 and 2005 Pistons that went to the Finals. And he beat them with a lesser cast than what Kobe had in 2004. Kobe had younger Shaq, Karl Malone and younger Payton in 2004 and couldn’t beat a lesser version of that Pistons team in the Finals. Wade did it with an older Shaq, older Payton against a better version of the Pistons.
I mean, if that’s not proof prime Wade is better what is? and 2004 Kobe was prime Kobe. He been in his prime since 2001 like I said when he had that incredible playoff run with Shaq. Kobe couldn’t win as the main player until he got Pau Gasol along with Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza/MWP, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum which is actually a better team than what Wade had in 2006. Kobe needed more help to win in his prime. I never saw anyone lock up Wade in the Finals like what Tayshuan did to Kobe in 2004.
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