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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.
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