From Deseret News archives:
What's all the commotion? It's Wade, DWill visiting the Great Wall
Well, maybe not all his fault. But the Heat's international superstar is among the more impatient in his group as a painfully slow line for the final segment of the tour a dicey toboggan ride that certainly wouldn't pass Disney safety standards is threatening to turn a once-in-a-lifetime afternoon into a near-torturous experience.
Wade tries a diversion tactic to slip his way to the front of the pack.
"Look, it's Kobe!"
No dice. Not even a mention of China's adopted basketball hero Kobe Bryant could budge this pack.
It's hopeless. Unless, of course, the trusty celebrity card works at this high an altitude.
Has it ever failed? Within moments, Wade and his entire crew, which includes fellow Team USA members Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets and Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz, are being ushered to the side entrance. Apparently even the Mutianyu portion of the Great Wall has a VIP section.
Commence chaos.
Only, there's no way to keep it a secret, so the crowd that was once begging for pictures with Wade is now actually booing him. Kind of loudly.
Wade tries to diffuse the situation by doing his best Arnold Schwarzenegger impression "Do it now! Get in the chopper!" until finally a petrified publicist, Lisa Joseph, kicks off the Great exodus by screaming her way down the mountain.
It's a priceless Olympic moment for Wade, who is actually enjoying these Games the second for the 26-year-old and enjoying a personal renaissance following a tumultuous last 18 months.
Four years ago Wade played a minor role on an Olympic basketball team that came home with bronze medals and hanging heads.
And just five months ago, Wade prematurely ended his basketball season with a nagging knee injury that required months of offseason rehabilitation and prompted questions of whether Wade was already past his prime.
If Wade hasn't demonstrated his health thoroughly enough through his recent run of impressive Olympic performances the kind that have helped this version of Team USA dominate like Dream Teams of old his Great Wall performance on this hazy Sunday afternoon can only reinforce it.
It's Wade, after all, who's leading some of the younger legs in the group racing up the steepest climb of the trip.
Recent comments
Negative spin? Sounds like you read with negative spin. That wasn't a...
whatthe | Aug. 18, 2008 at 1:06 a.m.
Sounds to me like the reporter played a negative spin in the article...
Not a flattering spin | Aug. 17, 2008 at 9:12 p.m.
The money may spend the same, but they can spend a whole lot longer...
Re: Regular Joe | Aug. 17, 2008 at 7:32 p.m.
- Grizzlies acquire Prokop 9:32 p.m.
- Finau makes finals of big break 9:30 p.m.
- Man assaults teens in his car 9:25 p.m.
- Cougars O-line a strength 9:24 p.m.
- U.S. House recognizes Real 9:21 p.m.
- Top prep gridders honored 9:20 p.m.
- Giant iceberg off Australia breaking 9:19 p.m.
- Tense atmosphere clouds U.N. talks 9:18 p.m.
- Hoax by climate activists in Canada 9:17 p.m.
- Exxon bets $29B on natural gas 9:04 p.m.
- Wet spot found in Powell's home
- Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
- Y. opponent nearly smelled roses
- D-Will treats military families to party
- MWC looks better in basketball
- Maynor amazed by L.A. fans
- Pace happy not to be noticed
- High school football: All-region teams
- Jazz Extra: Starting 5
- BYU singers compete in 'Sing Off'
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
178 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
152 - Gay-friendly curriculum phased out
145 - LDS to emphasize helping needy
125 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110 - Unga might enter NFL draft
106 - BYU to wear royal blue uniforms
101 - Disappearance called 'suspicious'
96 - TV mom gives birth to 19th child
95 - Choir, guests unwrap musical magic
84
The Jazz had little doubt that a fractured finger on his shooting hand...
listen to all of you arguing.. it's the funniest thing in the world!...
My Prayers are extended to both Susan's and Josh's Families. They all must be...
Anyone who raises taxes does not get my vote. Nationally when tax rates are...
I accessed this article because it was about someone in Arkansas. From what I...
If everyone did it...or even 3%...they'd all starve to death from a dearth of...
I am a cougar fan who says Utah has some great players including Mr....
perhaps a spell check option should be automatic on your computer and frankly...
Good luck, Alex! (Hey, I'll pull for ANY player from the state of Utah.)
Forget your tinfoil hat today?
I'm going to save this article and Mr. Gore can eat his words in 5 years....

