Getty Images

The Miami Heat departed Monday for its weeklong European trip, which includes three days in Paris and three in London. Each city will be treated to a pre-season game between the Heat and New Jersey Nets. Between workouts and games the players will be tourists, visiting attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Buckingham Palace.

The long flight and week away from home could be a drag, but the Heat believes the journey will have its benefits.

"No question it's going to be a very important time for bonding and building team chemistry," guard Dwyane Wade said.

He not only speaks from experience - Wade was part of the U.S. Olympic team that spent much of the summer together, including two weeks in Beijing - but he has done his due diligence. Wade knows that last October, the Boston Celtics spent 10 days in Rome and London. They used the time to cement relationships and lay the groundwork for a season that culminated in the franchise's 17th NBA title. Forward Kevin Garnett said at the time that the Celtics were creating cohesiveness while spending time together abroad.

"We've been walking around, just being together, not force-fed," he said. "Usually, when you have situations like this, it comes off commercial, but this has been cool. It's just happened."

The Celtics returned to the States with a team motto: Remember Rome.

This not to say the Heat will return expecting to be crowned NBA champions in eight months, but the players do expect to be more connected.

Source: Palm Beach Post