Wade, the former Miami Heat guard, will cap his basketball career with a Hall of Fame induction this weekend. Some are hoping his next phase is as a political star.
He was beloved by New York fans for his willingness to play hurt, as memorably exemplified in the decisive Game 7 of the 1970 N.B.A. finals at Madison Square Garden.
Without athletic scholarships, he made outgunned teams winners by keeping them moving and unnerving opponents, leading to one of the biggest upsets in college basketball.