But after missing the first three games of the season's stretch run, Wade stayed healthy and helped propel the HEAT to an improbable No. 4 playoff seed.

If the second quarter of the season was Wade's introduction to HEAT fans, the final quarter was his coming-out party to fans across the NBA.

The HEAT finished the regular season on a blistering 17-5 run over its final 22 games, and Wade led the team in scoring in six of those games.

The HEAT won 10 of its first 12 games with Wade back in the lineup, and the rookie's emerging all-around game was a major reason why. Wade averaged 16.4 points and 5.2 assists over that stretch, and posted a 23-point, seven-rebound, six-steal game in a 96-83 win over New Orleans on Mar. 16 and back-to-back 24-point, seven-assist games in wins over Orlando and Dallas on Mar. 24 and Mar. 26.

Wade averaged 15.2 points and 4.8 assists in the 19 games he appeared in, 15 of which were HEAT wins. When the season ended with a 96-84 win over New Jersey on Mar. 14, the HEAT had a 42-40 record and the No. 4 seed - and homecourt advantage - in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.