Wednesday Practice Report - Paris

The worst question posed by a foreign reporter at the start of the Heat’s post-practice media session on Wednesday at Bercy Arena: “Which player is the one who was just in the Olympics.”

Indeed, this European Live Tour is a unique experience for the Heat. Nearly 250 media credentials have been issued for Thursday’s exhibition against the New Jersey Nets. Both teams practiced Wednesday, with a 30-minute media session squeezed between the Heat’s morning workout and the Nets afternoon practice. Here are the highlights.

 

As has been the case since the Heat arrived Tuesday morning, Heat forward and Paris native Yakhouba Diawara was the center of attention with the local media. The number of reporters surrounding him appeared to surpass the group around Dwyane Wade. Of course, Wade didn’t mind one bit.

 

“Yakhouba is a very nice guy and I’m really getting to know him quite a bit,” said Wade, who at one point was peppered with questions about Diawara.

“He’s come in and worked really hard. I look at him like a Ron Artest – on the court. He’s got that frame, that strength. He even plays like him and shoots like him. But he’s a little bit more athletic.

So if (Diawara) can come close to that, we’ve got a steal in this league.”

Two years ago, he was with Phoenix when the Suns traveled to Germany and England. So this is another eye-opening experience from Marion, who is receiving a history lesson.

“I like coming across the waters,” Marion said. “It makes you realize that America is a new culture. It’s a new nation. And when you come across the water, you see how young we really are. We’re new. They got us beat over here by like two or three thousand years. It’s amazing. I love taking it in. I love being exposed to new horizons and opening my mind on a variety of things.”

Shaun Livingston returned to the practice court Wednesday after missing Tuesday’s workout with travel-induced swelling in his surgically repaired knee. With the final 30 minutes of the Heat’s practice open to the media, it provided a rare opportunity to see scrimmage action. Livingston was at point guard with the second-unit “red” team. He was spectacular at moments and sluggish in others.

On one possession, the 6-7 Livingston backed into the lane but had his turnaround jump shot blocked by the 6-2 Marcus Banks. It showed that Livingston still lacks some of the explosion he had before the devastating knee injury he sustained with the Clippers two seasons ago. But Livingston came right back and zipped a behind-the-back pass early in an offensive set to Omar Bartlett for an open baseline jumper. The play drew a reaction of “ooh” from the crowd.

“Right now, it’s just about getting adjusted and a feel of the system,” said Livingston, who said he’s still a couple of weeks from testing the knee in game action. “But it’s going to come. I’m a playmaker, regardless. That’s what I am. I’m a creator. Right now, it’s kind of about getting that respect right now and getting guys to know my game.”

Chris Quinn (ankle), Udonis Haslem (foot), Dorell Wright (knee) and James jones (wrist) sat out practice with injuries and aren't expected to play Thursday. Marcus Banks was with the first-team offense and will likely start at point guard, with rookie Mario Chalmers expected to come off the bench. Another surprise on the first-team "white" unit was undrafted rookie center David Padgett, who was at power forward on a lineup that also featured Banks, Wade, Marion and Mark Blount.

For fans, here is a wall paper of the next game.

Comments

[Orlando]

Will these games overseas be televised on National TV? If so, which channel and time for Florida's Westcoast. Thanks.

[thejuandiggler]

the nets game is on espn on thurs.....dont know time

[Danny]

Interesting to see David Padgett in the starting lineup. I'm curious to see if this guy is the real deal and if he can contribute to us in anyway (doubt it). But if he can make our roster then sweet!

[chaz]

only place to go is up...we have the best and most fun to watch player in the league and we were last....so only up from here

can I call playoffs this early?

[alexn]

I'd love to see what Beasley thinks going from Kansas State to Paris.
I hope Chalmers isn't his roomate for this trip...don't want any trouble.

[Yoan]

ESPN 2! AT 2pm Thursday!