PARIS -- If new Heat swingman Yakhouba Diawara had any doubts about how much Miami might count on him this season, he's quickly learning the answers.

A promising week for Diawara only seems to keep getting better as his popularity increases.

He opened the week Sunday with a surprise promotion into the starting lineup for the overtime loss to Detroit in the Heat's preseason opener.

Diawara then found himself after Tuesday's practice in the exclusive company of Heat owner Micky Arison and team president Pat Riley, who sought advice on the best dining options Paris has to offer.

And on Thursday, Diawara's young career will come full circle. The France native has a homecoming of sorts when the Heat plays the New Jersey Nets in an exhibition game Thursday at Bercy Arena.

Diawara, 26, was back Tuesday in the city where he grew up, and back on the same court where he played in a foreign-league All-Star game before coming to the NBA.

For now, Diawara's role as the Heat's perimeter defensive specialist has taken a back seat to his duty as ambassador and team tour guide.

''When you come home like this, it's definitely special,'' said Diawara, who expects as many as 50 relatives and friends at Thursday's game. ``I'm just trying to make sure everybody here is having a good time. If so, maybe they'll bring their family back here for vacation. I'm letting them know where to go.''

Diawara enjoyed Dwyane Wade-type status with the local media when the Heat arrived at its hotel Tuesday after its overnight flight from Miami. But the French connections on its roster run deeper than Diawara.

Heat forward Udonis Haslem, who went undrafted out of the University of Florida in 2002, spent his first pro season with Chalon Sur-Saone in the top league in France.

''Coming into the airport, the trip on the bus, getting to the hotel, it all brought back a whole bunch of memories,'' said Haslem, whose sprained left ankle could keep him out of Thursday's game. ``The path I took through here made me the person and the player I am today, and I wouldn't change that for nothing.''

Guard Eddie Basden, a long shot to make the Heat's roster, also is back in familiar territory after playing with pro teams in France last season. And center Joel Anthony, a Quebec native, speaks French.

That knowledge with the city might come in handy when the Heat tours the Eiffel Tower and a Special Olympics program Wednesday.

Diawara, who speaks four languages, takes as much pride in showing his teammates the city as he does displaying his improved game. He is the youngest of four children born to parents who migrated 35 years ago from Senegal. Soccer was Diawara's first sport before a growth spurt at age 16 and the development of France's national program led him to basketball.

Diawara played the past two seasons in Denver but signed with the Heat as a free agent in the offseason. He then returned overseas to play alongside Tony Parker and Ronny Turiaf on the French national team at the European Championships.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Diawara's combination of top conditioning and the ability to round out his game offensively early in training camp has impressed him.

''We like his defensive intensity, and that's what he's here for -- take the other team's best player out of his rhythm,'' Spoelstra said. ``He's physical and has quick feet.

``He'll get a better understanding of our defensive system.''

But Diawara said he is a fast learner.

''Usually, it takes a couple of weeks for a new guy to pick things up, but I wanted to come in ready,'' Diawara said. ``I don't want to waste time.''

Chris Quinn and Shaun Livingston missed the two-hour workout and will likely sit out the first of Miami's two exhibition games in Europe. The Heat plays the Nets again Sunday in London.

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@