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Heat arrive in China for preseason games
Source: Agencies |
October 10, 2012, Wednesday
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LEBRON James is visiting China for the ninth time, which makes him one of the resident Miami Heat experts about the world's most populous nation, especially on food.
"If anyone comes back with any body fat from this trip, then I don't know what they were doing on their free time," said James, the NBA's MVP.
So maybe it's fortunate that the coming week won't exactly include a ton of free time for the Heat, who arrived in Beijing on Monday night for a weeklong trip. The reigning league champions play the Los Angeles Clippers twice during the NBA China Games, starting in Beijing on Thursday and then again Sunday in Shanghai.
"Should be fun," James said. "It's a very long trip to be bonding together, but we're going to use it and not waste an opportunity."
The itinerary is hectic, with VIP receptions, a trip to the Great Wall of China and other excursions planned. The Heat are trying to ensure that players and personnel have time to experience some elements of Chinese culture on their own.
"You only have these type of opportunities so often," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "You want to take advantage of it. This is the preseason. We understand the big picture. It's a great program that the NBA runs when you have an opportunity to play overseas. Our last trip was tremendous when we went to Europe. Great team-building, and you get to see another part of the world and do it together."
Miami left on Saturday for Atlanta, played the Hawks there in the preseason opener for both teams on Sunday afternoon, then boarded a charter for the flight to Beijing that lasted a little more than 14 hours.
Knee surgery
"We're looking forward to the opportunity," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "I think as an organization, as players individually, once we get over there it will be a great opportunity to continue to grow our game."
Wade did not play in Atlanta on Sunday as he continues recovering from offseason knee surgery. He is hopeful of playing at least once in China, and went for a late-night workout on Monday night.
Heat guard Mario Chalmers remembered to turn his phone's international plans on before leaving the US. But, he forgot to account for the time difference, tweeting that he slept for about 11 hours on the plane, meaning he was rested and refreshed around what would have figured to be bedtime in China. "I ain't gettin no sleep tonight," Chalmers wrote.
"If anyone comes back with any body fat from this trip, then I don't know what they were doing on their free time," said James, the NBA's MVP.
So maybe it's fortunate that the coming week won't exactly include a ton of free time for the Heat, who arrived in Beijing on Monday night for a weeklong trip. The reigning league champions play the Los Angeles Clippers twice during the NBA China Games, starting in Beijing on Thursday and then again Sunday in Shanghai.
"Should be fun," James said. "It's a very long trip to be bonding together, but we're going to use it and not waste an opportunity."
The itinerary is hectic, with VIP receptions, a trip to the Great Wall of China and other excursions planned. The Heat are trying to ensure that players and personnel have time to experience some elements of Chinese culture on their own.
"You only have these type of opportunities so often," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "You want to take advantage of it. This is the preseason. We understand the big picture. It's a great program that the NBA runs when you have an opportunity to play overseas. Our last trip was tremendous when we went to Europe. Great team-building, and you get to see another part of the world and do it together."
Miami left on Saturday for Atlanta, played the Hawks there in the preseason opener for both teams on Sunday afternoon, then boarded a charter for the flight to Beijing that lasted a little more than 14 hours.
Knee surgery
"We're looking forward to the opportunity," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "I think as an organization, as players individually, once we get over there it will be a great opportunity to continue to grow our game."
Wade did not play in Atlanta on Sunday as he continues recovering from offseason knee surgery. He is hopeful of playing at least once in China, and went for a late-night workout on Monday night.
Heat guard Mario Chalmers remembered to turn his phone's international plans on before leaving the US. But, he forgot to account for the time difference, tweeting that he slept for about 11 hours on the plane, meaning he was rested and refreshed around what would have figured to be bedtime in China. "I ain't gettin no sleep tonight," Chalmers wrote.
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