Maxx Crosby, a standout defensive player for the Las Vegas Raiders, is known not just for his skills on the football field but also for his love of basketball. Crosby recently revealed his favorite NBA player growing up and shared a light-hearted grudge he holds against LeBron James.
Crosby, who is expected to be a key player for the Raiders’ defense this season, appeared on “The OGs Show” with former NBA stars Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller. During the show, Crosby disclosed that Dwyane Wade was his favorite basketball player when he was younger. He admired Wade so much that it influenced his basketball fandom, despite growing up in Michigan as a Detroit Pistons fan.
However, Crosby’s love for Wade led to some complications when LeBron James joined the Miami Heat in 2010. Crosby explained that when LeBron teamed up with Wade in Miami, he felt conflicted. Supporting Wade meant supporting LeBron, which Crosby wasn’t entirely comfortable with. He joked that this is where his “beef” with LeBron began because he didn’t want to be labeled a bandwagon fan, given the Heat’s sudden dominance with the addition of LeBron.
Crosby’s admiration for Wade seems to have started around the time Wade led the Miami Heat to an NBA championship in 2006. Given that Crosby was born in 1997, he likely missed out on the Detroit Pistons’ championship run in 2004 and instead found a hero in Wade, who was one of the most exciting players in the league during Crosby’s formative years.
Crosby’s experience is relatable for many sports fans who find themselves drawn to players and teams that are outside of their hometown or regional allegiances, especially when their local teams are struggling. As the Detroit Pistons’ performance declined after their 2004 championship, Crosby gravitated towards Wade, who was at the peak of his career, offering a more thrilling experience for a young fan.
Interestingly, Crosby’s story also touches on the potential for a new NBA team in Las Vegas. As Las Vegas continues to grow as a sports city, with successful franchises like the Raiders and the Golden Knights in the NHL, the idea of an NBA expansion team has been a topic of discussion. If the NBA were to establish a team in Las Vegas, Crosby might find a new team to support, possibly rekindling his passion for basketball as a local fan.
Crosby’s playful jab at LeBron and his fondness for Wade highlight the deep connections athletes often have with sports outside their primary profession. Even as one of the NFL’s top defensive players, Crosby’s love for basketball and his admiration for players like Wade reveal the multifaceted interests that many athletes possess.
In summary, Maxx Crosby, while known for his football prowess, has a strong affinity for basketball, particularly for Dwyane Wade, who was his favorite player growing up. His light-hearted “beef” with LeBron James stems from the challenges of maintaining loyalty to Wade without being seen as a bandwagon fan when LeBron joined the Miami Heat. As Las Vegas potentially moves closer to acquiring an NBA team, Crosby might soon have a new hometown team to support, adding another chapter to his basketball fandom.
