Miami Heat: Five Things Learned From Training Camp
With training camp concluding for the Miami Heat, we have finally seen little glimpses here and there of what we can expect from the star studded South Beach team this year.
Although it may have only been a few days, there were several interesting bits and pieces learned about this reconstructed line up.
Here are a few things taken away from training camp 2010 for the Miami Heat.
Dwyane Wade's Custody Case
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While Dwyane Wade may have taken care of everything on the court this summer, there's still something he needs to take care off of the court.
And it's going to force him to miss some of the preseason.
At training camp Dwyane Wade confirmed that he would in fact have to leave the team in order to attend his custody case regarding his sons. Wade recently divorced his former high school sweetheart, and the custody battle ensues.
Wade claimed he did not know when exactly he would have to leave, nor did he know how long for. Either way, this won't be a big issue for the team.
LeBron Means Business
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The anticipation is over, LeBron James was finally able to get to work with his teammates in pursuit of his goal of proving his doubters wrong.
The celebration welcoming James and Chris Bosh to Miami is in the past, but the scrutiny and criticizing continues.
Many wondered how the demeanor around camp would be with all of these superstars and friends on the same team. James answered that question as soon as he stepped on the court with a loud exclamation point.
"We hate to lose, especially hate to lose against each other. I think we've all seen that the last seven years, when we went at it, Cleveland versus Miami, and even the Team USA practices. We never wanted to lose against each other and we don't want to lose against each other here," said James on going against Wade in practice.
Many sights and sounds of the Heat's practices consisted of James' yelling and hustling all over the court, pushing both himself and everyone else to get better.
James' intensity riveted throughout the gym, but didn't came off as a surprise to his teammates, especially Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who acknowledged that James had always been an extremely hard worker.
Eddie House Looks Good
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When Eddie House walked into the room, everyone did a double take. Some even had a hard time recognizing him.
Why?
House lost 15 solid pounds this summer, heading into this season much slimmer than he was a year ago prior to last season. If you haven't seen House in recent years, you can't appreciate how much different he really does look 15 pounds lighter.
Bringing in House was a boost to the Heat's three-point game, which did look promising in camp with sharpshooters Mike Miller and James Jones along with House.
LeBron James and Udonis Haslem Are Gelling
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One of the more interesting reports to come out of training camp was the budding chemistry between James and long time Heat power forward, Udonis Haslem.
Those with access to the practices noted that James and Haslem were developing into what could be a deadly combination with James setting up Haslem repeatedly in the team's scrimmages. This also brings into focus the point that James has thus far appeared to be set on being more of a facilitator this year rather than racking up the points.
James has always viewed himself as more of a Magic Johnson type of player, and perhaps he will get to show everyone why with the Heat.
Charles Barkley Really Seems To Have It Out For LeBron
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When James replied in an interview that he believed race was a slight factor in how people reacted to his decision, Heat fans knew it was only a matter of time before Charles Barkley once again spoke out against the Heat's new star.
And sure enough, Barkley didn't let Heat fans down.
Barkley once again chastised LeBron's words, saying he made another "stupid decision." He also expressed his discontent with ESPN's coverage of the Heat's training camp, making fun of both ESPN and reports that LeBron looked "fierce" in practice.
I don't know what Barkley's deal is, but he really feels like he needs to comment on every move James and the Heat make. He called James' decision stupid, the celebration in Miami silly, and now he has struck again.
Is he jealous? It might appear so.
Is he a hypocrite for calling James out on his decision to play with two other great players? Without a doubt.
Why does he feel the need to comment about James and the Heat and make sure everyone hears him? Who knows, but it's only a matter of time before Barkley has something else critical to say about James and the Heat, bank on it.
