ekansekans's blog: "df"

MIAMI -- LeBron James is visiting China for the ninth time, which makes him one of the resident Miami Heat experts about the worlds most populous nation. Specifically, the food choices there. "If anyone comes back with any body fat from this trip, then I dont know what they were doing on their free time," said James, the NBAs MVP. So maybe its fortunate that the coming week wont exactly include a ton of free time for the Heat, who arrived in Beijing on Monday night for a weeklong trip. The reigning league champions play the Los Angeles Clippers twice during the NBA China Games, starting in Beijing on Thursday and then again Sunday in Shanghai. "Should be fun," James said. "Its a very long trip to be bonding together, but were going to use it and not waste an opportunity." The itinerary is hectic, with VIP receptions, a trip to the Great Wall of China and other excursions planned. The Heat are trying to ensure that players and personnel have time to experience some elements of Chinese culture on their own. "You only have these type of opportunities so often," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "You want to take advantage of it. This is the preseason. We understand the big picture. Its a great program that the NBA runs when you have an opportunity to play overseas. Our last trip was tremendous when we went to Europe. Great team-building, and you get to see another part of the world and do it together." The Heat played games in France and England during the 2008 preseason against the Nets, who then called New Jersey home. Miami left on Saturday for Atlanta, played the Hawks there in the preseason opener for both teams on Sunday afternoon, then boarded a charter for the flight to Beijing, one that lasted a little more than 14 hours. The Heat landed around 9:30 p.m. local time. Heat guard Mario Chalmers remembered to turn his phones international plans on before leaving the U.S. Apparently, he forgot to account for the time difference halfway around the world -- tweeting that he slept for about 11 hours on the plane, meaning he was rested and refreshed around what would have figured to be bedtime in China. "I aint gettin no sleep tonight," Chalmers wrote. If he was groggy Tuesday morning (still Monday night in the U.S.), when the Heat held their first practice in China, it didnt show. Photos posted to social media sites by the team showed Chalmers was just fine when he left the team hotel for the buses. Later Tuesday, the Heat were planning to take about six hours to visit the Great Wall. "Were looking forward to the opportunity," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "I think as an organization, as players individually, once we get over there it will be a great opportunity to continue to grow our game." Wade did not play in Atlanta on Sunday as he continues recovering from off-season knee surgery. He is hopeful of playing at least once in China, and went for a late-night workout after the plane landed Monday night. He remembers what those Nets-Heat games were like in Europe four years ago, and said the element of facing the same team twice in the span of a few days helps raise the competitive bar a bit, even in an exhibition. "The second one was a little bit more of a grind-out game, where you really wanted to win," Wade said. "The first game will be fun and will give the fans a show. The second ones going to be a little more intense. Guys will want to get at it and try to win. No doubt, you need some competitive situations. You need to be pushed, you need to feel fatigued, all those things." It would seem like hes ready for his preseason debut. Another photo released by the Heat on Tuesday morning showed Wade dunking in practice -- a sign that his knee is just fine. The NBA allows teams that are travelling internationally during the preseason to open camp a few days earlier than everyone else, which Spoelstra said was helpful. Sure, its a logistical challenge, but Spoelstra isnt worried. "Theres a lot of good things about trips like this with the NBA, and thats why were looking forward to it," Spoelstra said. "If we didnt have this training camp Id be thinking that this is a tough thing, a lot of distractions and so forth. But weve had a full training camp. Now we get to go away, together, and spend an inordinate amount of time around each other in a place thats a little bit out of our comfort zone. That usually is good for team-building." Those meals might create a team memory or two as well. Chinese culinary options can seem unique -- even though some on the trip are quick to point out there are American fast-food restaurants all over Beijing. But for those with more adventurous palates, some unusual choices can be had. "Im sure were going to eat some funky meals where we can all say, Oh, that was nasty," said Heat forward Shane Battier, who has endorsed the Chinese shoe brand Peak since 2006. "Those experiences are good. And for guys who have never been to China before, itll be fun to see their reaction. And those things, I think, can build a team." Authentic Colin Kaepernick Jersey .E.I. - Edmontons Heather Nedohin defeated Winnipegs Jennifer Jones 5-2 on Wednesday at the $370,000 Sun Life Financial Players Championship curling tournament. Kaepernick Jersey .J. - Thierry Henry scored his MLS-leading ninth goal in the seventh minute, then went down with a right hamstring injury 15 minutes later in the New York Red Bulls 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday. http://elevatedcolor.com/new.html . The 30-minute production features Howard, Stoughton, Martin, and Koe drafting a new third, second, and lead. The mixed teams will compete for $100,000 in prize money during The Dominion All-Star Curling Draft Show Presented by Pintys this weekend live on TSN from Casino Rama in Rama, ON.The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that a group led by minority owner Tom Stillman is expected to close on its purchase of the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, with Hall of Famer and former Blues captain Brett Hull re-joining the club in a management role. According to the paper, Stillmans group will be paying $130 million for a package that includes the Blues and the AHLs Peoria Rivermen. Former team chairman Dave Checketts was trying to sell the tteam over the last two years and had an arrangement to sell the it to Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer.dddddddddddd The NHL ruled in January that the purchase agreement had been terminated, allowing Stillman the go-ahead. The NHL Board of Governors vote on the sale is to be completed Tuesday, prior to Wednesdays closing. Hull, who played for 12 years with the Blues, worked parts of two seasons as general manager of the Dallas Stars. ' ' '