MIAMI Heat's Wade showcasing talent

The second-year standout has benefited from the offseason acquisition of Shaq.
MIAMI (AP) -- There was no offseason for Dwyane Wade. At 22, who needs rest?
Wade capped his strong rookie year last spring by carrying Miami to the Eastern Conference semifinals. He spent the summer playing for the Olympic team, then resumed workouts with his Heat teammates in the fall.
The constant honing of his game is paying off, and Wade no longer is thought of as a superstar-in-waiting. He's arrived, with his talent and charisma enhanced alongside new Heat center Shaquille O'Neal.
In his first five games this season, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 25.6 points on 51.9 percent shooting, plus 6.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists -- ranking him among the league's most complete players and proving his teammates weren't offering blind loyalty when proclaiming him the NBA's top rookie last year.
"It's the first time I've really felt this confident so early in a season," Wade said. "Most times it comes midseason, but starting off early with it is nice and it comes from a lot of things. It comes from the playoffs, comes from the Olympics and comes from the team I've got around me."
Nice duo
Having the league's most unguardable player around doesn't hurt, either.
They've been teammates only a short time, but Wade and O'Neal seem to be clicking. Wade's forte is getting to the rim -- and with O'Neal attracting so much defensive attention, penetration is clearly easier. More than half of his 41 field goals in the first five games were either layups or dunks.
"He's played great, so obviously I think his confidence is very high," Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. "But Dwyane's always been such a confident guy. ... I don't think he's ever doubted himself or his ability. And his confidence is probably increased a little bit after what he did last year."
One of the first passes Wade threw to O'Neal during their first workouts together hit the 11-time All-Star squarely in the face.
Now they're in harmony -- both on the court and alongside each other in the Miami spotlight.
"He actually has an all-around game," O'Neal said. "A lot of guys are just one-dimensional. This guy can shoot, he can pass, he can create and I think he's got to be one of the league's top four guards already. Hopefully -- with my tutelage -- he'll be No. 1."
Staying grounded
Wade may one day reach the NBA pinnacle, but he's not seeking such acclaim.
The feud between O'Neal and Kobe Bryant felled what might have become a dynasty for the Los Angeles Lakers, with the duo being unable to share the spotlight. O'Neal tried to prevent that from happening in Miami, saying shortly after the offseason trade that the Heat was Wade's team.
When asked about that statement, Wade still cringes uncomfortably.
"I'm always going to play the same way whether I have the spotlight or I don't," Wade said. "I'm out there playing basketball, the way I always knew how -- first for my teammates and then getting stuff for myself. When you're out there, you don't think about the spotlight. You just think about what you've got to do to win."
Last season, when none of the 118 votes cast for rookie of the year had Wade's name on the top line, his teammates expressed outrage. Wade remained silent, content to be third fiddle behind LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
Difference-maker
James' Cleveland team didn't make the playoffs a year ago; Anthony's Denver club was ousted in the first round. Wade carried the Heat within two wins of a spot in the Eastern Conference finals.
"He had some good games early, and by the second and third part of the season, he just grew and grew," Washington coach Eddie Jordan said. "Going into the playoffs, he carried them to a certain degree. And he keeps getting better. My hat's off to him. He's going to be a special player. He already is."
Wade said he was never concerned about the lack of an offseason layoff. He missed 21 regular-season games last year because of injury, and sprained his left ankle late in Thursday's 113-93 loss to Dallas -- but says his body is holding up well under the rigors of NBA play.
"I'm in a groove of playing," Wade said. "I didn't need any time off."
He says he's not totally secure with all the extra attention that's now directed his way, and always credits teammates when asked questions about Miami's 2004 playoff run and this season's hot start.
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