15 years later, Dwyane Wade fans threw shade at LeBron James after Miami Heat legend’s wild response to historic MVP snub

About one and a half decades later, NBA fans are still finding it hard to swallow the hard Dwyane Wade MVP snub pill. While Wade has responded to the historic snub 15 years later on his Instagram story, fans rushed to social media to reignite the debate once again, although this has been a reminder for almost every year that Wade and fans were heartbroken as LeBron James secured the NBA’s one of the most valued honor to his name.

Dwyane Wade responds to his 2009 MVP snub

NBA legend Dwyane Wade still hasn’t forgotten the season that could’ve been his MVP moment. The 2009 campaign saw Wade dominate on both ends of the court and carry a struggling Miami Heat roster to playoff contention. But despite leading the league in scoring and turning in one of the most complete seasons of his career, the MVP award ultimately went to LeBron James. It was a decision that continues to stir conversation among fans and now, from Wade himself.In a recent Instagram story, Dwyane Wade didn’t hold back his thoughts on what many consider one of the biggest MVP snubs in modern NBA history. Reflecting on his 2009 season, Wade shared a pointed reminder of how he performed despite his team’s limitations, "Even with a 43 win team! That's how you know the boy was hooping," he wrote.That statement wasn’t just a flex, it was backed by facts. Wade led the entire NBA in scoring that season with 30.2 points per game and earned spots on both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.

He was also in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year, making him one of the most well-rounded contributors that season.While Wade's individual brilliance was unquestioned, his Miami Heat squad lacked depth and consistency. The team managed to squeeze into the playoffs with a 43–39 record before falling in a tightly contested seven-game series against the Atlanta Hawks. Without Wade’s heroics, the Heat’s season could’ve easily derailed.

NBA fans reacted to Dwyane Wade’s 2009 MVP race

Wade’s performance that year still resonates with fans, particularly given that he finished third in MVP voting, behind Kobe Bryant and eventual winner LeBron James, the same LeBron who would join forces with Wade just two seasons later in Miami. Together, they would go on to claim two NBA championships, but for Wade, 2009 remains a year of personal vindication. As teh debate resurfaced, fans took to X to share their thoughts.“DWade should’ve won,” one fan declared.

“Wade got robbed,” another asserted.

One fan claimed that “Wade was the best player that season.”

One user gave an analytical take, “D-Wade robbed. Not that it's any direct correlation at all, but he averaged more ppg and apg than the other three and was on by far the worst team. Woulda been dead last without him, got the 5 seed. Always said Wade deserved 09, and Lebron deserved 2011 and 2018.”

“The only player in NBA History. Yup NBA History! with 2000 points, 500 assists, 100 steals, and 100 blocks in a season. He did it all. Dwyane Wade had a statistically impossible season (after being an NBA champ a few years prior) and they still didn't give him the MVP. Robbed,” another user shared.

Wade retired in 2019 after playing 15 of his 16 seasons with the Miami Heat, with brief stops in Chicago and Cleveland.