'We getting a chance to see who can really hoop' — Dwyane Wade backs referees for letting physicality play out
The
2025 NBA Playoffs
have turned up the heat, and
Dwyane Wade
is loving it. On his podcast Timeout, he commended the referees for letting players be more physical, mentioning, 'We get a chance to see who can really hoop' This new approach has ignited conversations throughout the league, with some fans enjoying the classic toughness and others concerned about the safety of the players.
Dwyane Wade applauds referees for allowing physicality in the 2025 NBA playoffs
Wade, a three-time NBA title holder, has expressed his thoughts on the tougher nature of this year's playoffs. He believes the referees are choosing to let the players play more by not calling as many fouls, which is reviving that competitive spirit from earlier times. The refs control how the temperature of the game is going to be... Right now, they're putting it back in their pocket, they're saying, 'Let's go back to competition,' Wade said during his podcast.
This method has encouraged players to be more aggressive, resulting in thrilling games and heightened feelings on the court. Wade noted that this way of playing reveals those who depend on drawing fouls instead of just their skills. 'Now we getting a chance to see who can really hoop and who was dependent on the refs,' he added.
The playoffs have seen some notable moments that show a change in how the games are officiated. In the series between the Golden State Warriors and the
Houston Rockets
,
Stephen Curry
has been under heavy defense, and it's been noted that he's only gotten to the free-throw line six times in the first two games. Meanwhile, the matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers had a bit of a brawl between James Harden and Christian Braun, which definitely raised the intensity on the court.
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Another instance is the game between the
Los Angeles Lakers
and the Minnesota Timberwolves, where Anthony Edwards' aggressive style against LeBron James caught everyone's eye. Wade compared the energy to streetball, saying,'When my uncles and my dad and when you was in the hood, that's how you used to play bro.'
Mixed reactions from the NBA community
While Wade and a few others enjoy the shift back to a more physical style of play, there are critics. Jaylen Brown of the
Boston Celtics
voiced his frustration with the officiating after a particularly intense game against the Orlando Magic, claiming the physicality was too much.
Former Dallas Mavericks owner
Mark Cuban
also chimed in, cautioning that this trend of increased aggression could spell trouble for the league's future, as teams might lean more towards being physical rather than skilled. He said that this more focus on physicality can replace skill and that would be bad for the NBA in future.
Also Read:
Rich Paul reveals he never believed LeBron James and Luka Doncic could lead the Lakers to a championship
The 2025 NBA Playoffs have sparked fresh talks about how physical the game should be. Dwyane Wade's support for the refs being a bit more relaxed shows he wants to bring back that competitive edge. As the playoffs roll on, it'll be interesting to see if this trend sticks around and what it means for the league's future.
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