Dwane Wade's Injury delays Heat's chance for continuity

D. Wade

MIAMI — Nursing a strained right hamstring, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade watched Wednesday's practice from the sideline, where he will stay for at least the next week.

Wade was hurt early in the first quarter of the preseason opener Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons. He did not return, a letdown for those eager to see Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh play together.

Treatment includes ice, electrical stimulation and exercises that do not inflame the hamstring. James said Wade will "probably be out for a few weeks," then caught himself and said, "If less."

The Heat will be patient so it does not become a lingering injury. But the longer Wade is out, the longer wait for him, James, Bosh and Co. to develop the continuity that is high on Miami coach Erik Spoelstra's preseason checklist.

Double whammy: Pistons second-year forward Jonas Jerebko will be out up to six months with a partially ruptured Achilles tendon after getting hurt in the first quarter Tuesday. The Pistons were counting on Jerebko's physical play and improving skills in the low post. Detroit rookie guard Terrico White will also have surgery Friday to repair a bone he broke in his right foot in the same game. His return is undetermined.

Versatile backcourt: Stephen Curry will start at point guard and Monta Ellis will move back to shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors, but coach Keith Smart believes he'll have other options. "Dorell Wright can handle the ball," Smart says of the 6-9 guard-forward who spent his first six seasons with the Heat.

Over there: NBA Commissioner David Stern said preseason games will be held in Brazil "likely prior to the 2014 World Cup," and an NBA office will open there soon.

The NBA has been playing preseason games in London and Paris for several years and has expanded its European presence with the first regular-season games set for March in London.

The 'old' Wizard: Here's how Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas, 28, looks at his role: show the ropes to point guard John Wall, 20, the No. 1 pick in June, then move on.

Arenas, who has spoken little in camp, was again expressionless, maintaining his serious new demeanor in public.

"I'm out there to hit open shots, teach John the ins and the outs of the game, and then eventually go on and move on — on my way," said Arenas, back after a felony conviction for bringing guns into the locker room landed him a 50-game suspension.

"There's few players that stay in the same city, so right now the city is John's. I'm not here to fight anybody. I'm here to play alongside of him."

•Among items on new owner Ted Leonsis' "List of 101 Signs of Visible Change," No. 31: "Change Wizards' team name to Bullets," which is "under consideration."

General managers' survey says … :Los Angeles Lakers over Miami in the Finals; MVP: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant; top rookie: Wall; top by position: Utah Jazz's Deron Williams (point guard), Lakers' Kobe Bryant (shooting guard), James (small forward), Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki/Lakers' Pau Gasol (power forward) and Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (center).