Heat’s Deng makes his points in Africa: ‘A huge step forward’

The next goal is to create meaningful moments for the Miami Heat, meaningful playoff moments, after his first season with the team produced only a lottery finish.

“As a kid growing up, I could never watch the NBA or meet NBA players.

The events preceding the game of NBA standouts is what most resonated for the veteran small forward, who in June picked up the option year for 2015-16 on the second and final year of the free-agent contract he signed with the Heat a year ago.

Contract status, outlook for each player on Miami Heat roster Contract status, outlook for each player on Miami Heat roster While the team he captained lost the game, which became competitive in the end, similar to the NBA All-Star Game, he viewed the experience as a victory.

“The NBA has been taking steps forward [in Africa], and this is a huge step forward,” he said, with Heat assistant coach David Fizdale among those included in the NBA’s contingent of players, coaches and executives.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stopped short of projecting a future regular-season game on the continent, but did suggest the possibility of a preseason game, similar to those annually staged by the NBA in Europe, Asia and South America, with Deng and the Heat playing in Brazil last October.

The fact that NBA legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, two of the first players NBA from Africa, played in Saturday’s game made it even more special for Deng.

And if Team World was able to take control behind Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul because Team Africa didn’t have a point guard on its roster, so be it said Deng, who was named a co-MVP of the event along with Paul.