First, before getting to everything else, for those that didn't hear about Team USA's rout of Canada, Dwyane Wade started and scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 18 minutes in helping leading the Americans to a 120-65 victory Friday night in Las Vegas. Wade was sharp in Team USA's exhibition opener in preparation for the Beijing Olympics. Wade, who hit his first five shots, was explosive in his first meaningful game in more than four months, after undergoing season-ending shock wave therapy on his knee. Heat center Joel Anthony started for Canada and finished with 2 points on 1-of-6 shooting with two rebounds in 16 minutes.
WADE WEIGHS IN ON NBA PLAYERS SIGNING CONTRACTS TO PLAY OVERSEAS
Dwyane Wade addressed the trend of NBA players signing more lucrative deals in Europe, and for now the idea of a star of his caliber going over the pond is foreign. But even he joked, during a break from Team USA Training in Las Vegas, that there might be ways to lure him overseas. (Of course all of this is theoretical and Wade wouldn't even have this option until 2010, when he can opt out of the final year of his contract.)
"Thirty million a season, non-taxable?" Wade is quoted as saying by Yahoo Sports. "I might have to think about it."
"With the money being said that guys can get over there, it's unbelievable. Not only do you have international players coming to America, you've got American players going international. And you've got big-time players doing it now. It's interesting.
"If they offer me $40 million a year and no taxes, I might have to go over there. I'll have to see you guys later."
With more than a half-dozen NBA players jumping at overseas offers--and most notably Atlanta reserve swingman Josh Childress--this new trend has the league abuzz. The international interest has allowed NBA restricted free agents to get better deals by bolting. Cavs starting point guard Delonte West and Lakers reserve guard Sasha Vujacic both are threatening to go abroad if they don't get the deals they seek with their current teams. This strategy does not seem to be an option for Heat restricted free agents Dorell Wright and Chris Quinn. Perhaps we'll see a day when a bonafide NBA star goes to Europe, but for now as free agency news has slowed and thus this topic seems to have become somewhat overblown.
WADE'S NEW LOOK
On a lighter note, did you notice that Wade's head is bald? Do you like his new look?
BEING MICHAEL BEASLEY
If you haven't seen the latest ESPN.com video following Heat rookie Michael Beasley, check it out. During his experience in L.A. for the ESPY Award he got stopped by T.O. and superstar treatment as he gets ready for for the award show....
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