Got a few minutes with Dwyane Wade today at the Hotel InterContinental at his G2 promotional event with Alonzo Mourning, in advance of this weekend's Summer Groove. The game is Sunday at 6 p.m.
More to come (and some I'm holding for future stories), but here is part of the interview.
Q: What's your opinion of the signing of James Jones?
A: I was real high on him when Coach asked me about him. I was real high on him. He can stick it. He can stick it and he's a hard worker, from what I heard about him from Reggie Miller and stuff like that.
Q: How much easier does it make it for you to have another shooter?
A: I missed Jason (Kapono). I missed Posey. So much easier. We're going to try to do our job to get another shooter as well, as much as we can. To spread the floor. Not only for me, but for Michael (Beasley) to work down low some. And for Shawn as well. So having a shooter is going to make it so much easier. A sticker.
Q: Where is your health?
A: I'm not a percentage guy, but I feel good. As good as I've felt in two years. Even having our first practice in Vegas, we had no contact, but just going up and down, moving, I felt good doing that. I can't wait to get out there and play. Even Sunday, I can't wait to play. I'll be leading the New School, with my Olympic brothers behind me, Chris Paul and Carlos Boozer. We're going to have fun whupping on those old guys.
(Note: Boozer may not be appearing, but Paul is expected).
Q: Have you seen the internet telecast (or any tape) of summer league so far?
A: No, I just heard about it. I saw it in the paper the next day. Then I called Coach Riley, and talked about it. Then I called Michael and Mario (Chalmers) and talked to them both. Just told them to keep it up. We're counting on them guys a lot. They're a big part of what we're going for the future in Miami. Let them know they're a big part. Especially Mario, getting picked in the second round. To us, you're a first round pick. Letting him know that we've got two great first round picks out of this deal. We had a bad year last year, but in the long haul, it might be a blessing that we had that opportunity to get these guys.
Who's going to Zo's summer grove game? Is it televised by any chance?
Sunday debut
Jones, Chalmers and Beasley will make their AmericanAirlines Arena debuts as members of the Heat at Sunday's Zo's Summer Groove charity game. Wade, who is promoting the game along with Alonzo Mourning, also is scheduled to play. ... Chalmers shot 17 of 17 from the foul line, and Beasley closed with 17 points and eight rebounds in Wednesday night's 95-84 loss to the Pacers at the Orlando Pro Summer League, dropping the Heat to 2-1.
Wow, I'm so going.
