NBA -- Warm L.A. welcome for D-Wade
By Nicholai R. Roska
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 18 Sep 2012
LOS ANGELES -- Every time Dwyane Wade and his loathed Miami Heat stop by this town to play the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, fans only have jeers and the thorns of contempt for him and his reigning NBA champion teammates.
But when D-Wade visited a swanky local mall ---- The Grove along 189 The Grove Drive last Thursday --- the multiple All-Star and 2006 NBA Finals MVP got all the love he can handle. Wade was at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore to sign copies of his book -- "A Father First: How My Life Became Bigger Than Basketball."
Obviously, Barnes and Noble was teeming with people, adults and kids alike. The event, a rare opportunity to meet Wade up close and personal, was free. To get in line, however, a wrsitband was required, and getting a wristband meant buying Wade's book for a cool $26.99.
A Father First tells of Wade's bitter divorce from his childhood sweetheart Siovaughn Wade. After a length legal journey which awarded him sole custody of his two boys -- Zaire and Zion -- Wade embarks on a lifelong mission of trying to become the best dad he can possibly be. The book also shares events that helped shape Wade's "dreams, prayers and promises."
Good book. Good read. And a good time for NBA fans here in LA to meet a bonafide star.
Wade's next LA stop is this January 17, when the Heat take on the Lakers for a regular season game at the Staples Center. By then, you can bet there wouldn't be much fan love for Wade. Just jeers and the thorns of contempt. (Nicholai Rhiz Roska)
Photo: PhilBoxing.com correspondent Nicholai Rhiz Roska, who regularly covers the Lakers, with Heat superstar Dwyane Wade.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pacquiao’s Legacy in Motion: PacMan contra El Azteca
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Blu Girls Crush Singapore 13-0, Set Sights on China in Asia Cup Showdown
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Laylo, Dableo to play in Baguio Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Pacquiao Shines in Final Press Conference: Can The Pacman Defeat Father Time and Barrios? (Analysis & Prediction)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 17 Jul 2025More lucrative fights await Manny Pacquiao
By Leo Reyes, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Rumors about Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Tapales, Laurente to help Inoue against MJ
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Jul 2025AL BERNSTEIN, CHRISTY MARTIN AND ERIC BOTTJER TO SERVE AS ALL-STAR COMMENTARY TEAM FOR THIS FRIDAY’S ‘LOPEZ VS. VARGAS’ EVENT
Thu, 17 Jul 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS CONGRATULATES SUBRIEL MATIAS ON BECOMING THE WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Thu, 17 Jul 2025Gaisano Grand Cup Season 20 opens August 3
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 17 Jul 2025HALL OF FAMER MANNY PACQUIAO SET TO CHASE HISTORY YET AGAIN THIS SATURDAY NIGHT IN WORLD TITLE FIGHT AGAINST MARIO BARRIOS
Wed, 16 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: New York, a Special Place for Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua talking for a possible fight?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Philippines Rolls Past Pacific Oceania in Davis Cup Group IV Opener as Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors Set the Pace
Wed, 16 Jul 2025