We went to this restaurant called Ragtime and after we ordered they told us that the kitchen was only serving a late night menu. We weren’t happy but we ordered anyway. Then as our shrimp, spring rolls and red beans and rice were arriving, the owner of the restaurant came over and said he would make us the red snapper that we wanted. We told him we were okay, but he insisted. So we got some food that we didn’t even order – blackened snapper – and it turned out to be the best thing that we had. They also said they had homemade root beer, but when I tried it I asked them if that was the case and they said it wasn’t. I had homemade root beer one time back home in Houston and it was thick and tasty. It wasn’t the case here.

This morning we got up early and Coach Brown had us watch film of (Thursday’s) scrimmage against Puerto Rico. That’s part of the commitment we’ve made, betterment at all times of the day. When you see yourself and the others on tape doing what we do, you can learn from observation. He’s a stickler and likes to pay attention to details.

When we got to the gym we ran though some warm-up drills and offensive plays before scrimmaging against New Zealand. It was good to get on the court, finally. I needed that. I had to get into the flow and gain some momentum. When they called my name to go in during the second quarter it was nice. At first it was weird to be out there, but after I went back in the second time I was getting more in the flow. At I came out the first time Tim Duncan told me that the international game was different and that these guys can shoot the ball and to be careful about that because these guys don’t take it to the rim, kind of the opposite of the way guys play here.

I had to use the scrimmage as a learning experience because I missed a few days of practice. I’m learning the plays on the court as the game is going on, so it’s a process. From the bench, I was watching and learning before I went in the game to stay involved.

One of the great things about being here is to gain from the other guys on the team. You learn as much from each other as you do from the coaches.

Then after the game I had another photo shoot in the Bobcats uniform, this time doing on-court action. These were for trading cards. Plus, I have a camera following me for a television show on the new sports network in Charlotte (C-SET). The show is called “The Pick” and they’re down here to follow me and see what I’m doing here in Jacksonville.

Tonight is my last night in Jacksonville before we leave the country following tomorrow’s game against Puerto Rico. I’m looking forward to going to Europe. I’ve never been to Europe before and I’m anxious to see what it’s like.