Exclusive Interview With Heat Forward Yakhouba Diawara

I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the most underrated players in the Miami Heat roster. Some don't even know his name, but I do. For me, he's an inspiration and if no one learns nothing from this man, the one thing I learned is, dedication and hard work does pay off.

Pedro Heizer: Is there any special meaning behind your name?

Yakhouba Diawara: My name, Yakhouba was my grandfather's name. It means a lot to me.

PH: You grew up in France, tell me, how was that?

YD: It was great! It's a beautiful country. I had some good days and I had some bad days, but I learned a lot there.

PH: At what age did you come to the United States?

YD: I moved to the United States when I was 18.

PH: At what age did you fall in love with the game of basketball?

YD: I fell in love with the game at the age of 16. At the time, I was playing soccer.

PH: How did you become involved with the game of basketball? And who did you grow up idolizing?

YD: Well at the time, I was a huge Charles Barkley fan. I liked what he did and so I became involved with the game that way. I could be seen wearing number 34 everywhere.

PH: How was it playing for the French National team?

YD: It's great! I love it! Playing against other countries is a great feeling.

PH: What's more competitive? The NBA or the Euro-League?

YD: I personally think that both have their own advantages and disadvantages. But they are both very competitive.

PH: Yakhouba, when you were a free-agent last summer, what were some of the reasons you chose to sign with the Miami Heat?

YD: Well, I wanted a change of scenery, culture, team, and city. And the Heat were my first summer team I every played for.

PH: Coming in to the 2008-2009 season, knowing that the Heat only won 15 games the year before, what were some of the thoughts going through your mind at the time?

YD: I knew that they went through a really hard time only winning 15 games the previous season. But the challenge was great, I wanted to come and be part of history. (being only the second team to win 5 games the previous season and go to the playoffs the next)

PH: What franchise did you like playing for? The Denver Nuggets or the Miami Heat?

YD: Oh, hmm... I like both of them. I enjoyed my time in Denver and now i'm enjoying my time here in South Beach.

PH: You played with two superstars in Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony. What are the strong and weak points of both these players? What do you like about them?

YD: I played with three superstars. I also played alongside [Allen] Iverson when I was with the Nuggets. I like all three of them. They are all very confident players and that's what we need in the NBA.

PH: Erik Spoelstra is a pupil of Pat Riley. Riley was notorious for having gruesome practices that would make the likes of Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing fall to their knees. Is coach Spo's practices as hard?

YD: Well they are very similar, probably the same. Coach Spo learned from Pat for may years so he picked it up where Riley left off.

PH: Take us through a day in the life of Yakhouba Diawara during the regular NBA season.

YD: Well, I get up in the morning get breakfast and go to practice for a couple of  hours and lift weights , then I get a massage at the gym. After that, I get lunch with my wife and relax for the rest of the day. I like to see movies or go shopping, go to a nice dinner, see friends, or play video games

PH: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

YD: Hmm, not really. It depends how i feel

PH: For our young fans out there, what would you say it takes to get to the NBA level of play?

YD: Listen , work really hard. Play hard and don't have any regrets in life , always believe your self

PH: You just opted to stay with your contract and return to the Heat for your last year under contract. Now, the question every Heat fan wants to know, are you going to stay in Miami after next season?

YD: I am happy where I am right now, I am enjoying everyday of it

PH: You were there this season witnessing Dwyane Wade make magic and have the MVP-Caliber season he did. Tell us, how was it? How focused was he during the entire season? Do you feel as if he played with a chip on his shoulders?

YD: He had his best season since 2006 when they won championship , its was great to see him at 100 %. He's a great leader on and off the field. It was a great experience.

PH: You guys lost in 7 games to the Hawks in the 1st round of the playoffs. Was that a hard pill to shallow?

YD: Yes, it was very hard , but we had plenty of chances to win and we missed it

PH: Finally, what can Heat-Nation expect next season from the Miami Heat and from Yakhouba Diawara?

YD: From the Heat a better season. And from me, a new player is coming. I have been working hard this summer on details and specific stuff on my game. You will see it and be surprised hahaha