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Wade's top 5 moments in Miami

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Dwyane Wade returns to Miami to play the Heat for the first time as a member of the Chicago Bulls Thursday, and there promises to be some emotion on display.

Related: Wade says 'I don't think people understand why I left' Miami

Miami is often accused of being a fickle sports market, but it's difficult to argue Wade's place in the region's sports pantheon alongside names like Dan Marino. Here are five of Wade's most memorable moments inside American Airlines Arena and elsewhere in South Florida.

5. Miami-Wade County

In July 2010, with Wade a free agent, the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County - home to 2.7 million people - renamed itself Miami-Wade for a week, even modifying the county's logo. It may have worked. Not only did Wade re-sign, he helped bring aboard LeBron James and Chris Bosh as well - forming the superteam that won two NBA titles over the next four seasons.

4. Thunder dunk

In 2011, Wade brought most of the triple-A audience out of their seats when he spun on the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kendrick Perkins and threw down a vicious two-hander.

3. Game-winner in 1st playoff game

As a 22-year-old in his first NBA playoff game, Wade sunk the New Orleans Hornets with this bucket with 1.3 seconds left in Game 1 of their first-round 2004 playoff series. The Heat went on to win in seven games.

2. Stuns Bulls in double-OT

In 2009, seven years before he would return to his hometown of Chicago, he beat the Bulls at American Airlines Arena with a miracle running 3-pointer off a steal. It remains one of the signature moments of Wade's career.

1. Captures 2012 NBA championship at home

When Wade led the Heat to their first-ever NBA title in 2006, they clinched the series on the road in Dallas. When he returned to the Finals alongside James against the Mavericks again in 2011, Dallas stunned the Heat in six games. That made 2012 all the sweeter: the Heat defeated the Thunder in five games, capturing the Larry O'Brien Trophy at home in Miami.

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