In the lane

THE WHIRLWIND

Okaro White is living proof of the whirlwind of life as an NBA journeyman, from being dealt by the Heat at last season’s trading deadline to the Atlanta Hawks, then catching on with the Cleveland

Cavaliers for their run to the Finals, and then being left with only a non-guaranteed invitation to camp with the San Antonio Spurs. For the former Florida State forward, it is a case of whatever it takes. “After the Cleveland stint, I looked for the best fit for me,” he said before the Spurs’ preseason opener against the Heat. “I had come to San Antonio to play pickup with the guys and that’s how it kind of came about. It’s very similar to Miami — everything is tight knit, everything is run well. It was kind of like an easy choice.” Of making it to the NBA Finals, albeit as an inactive participant, White said, “It was good and bad. As a player you want to be out there. But just having an opportunity to be there, I was able to be around

LeBron James. That was amazing.” White was dealt by the Heat while recovering from foot surgery, using the time with the Cavaliers to rehabilitate to what he now says is full health.

BREATH OF NEW AIR

With his offseason shift from the Atlanta Hawks bench to taking over as Milwaukee Bucks coach,

Mike Budenholzer injected himself back into the Eastern Conference playoff race. He appreciates he is not alone — for one significant reason. “I think Boston, Philly, Toronto, Indiana, Miami, Washington — you just keep on going down, Detroit — everybody feels like they have a chance,” Budenholzer told ESPN, “maybe more so because LeBron is in the West now.” Of this brave, new James-less world in the East, Washington Wizards coach Scott

Brooks said before the start of the preseason, “A ‘LeBron-less East,’ that’s a good way to put it. He’s gone. He got a lot of players cut, traded, coaches fired.’’

NEXT CHALLENGE

Held out of the San Antonio Spurs exhibition against the Heat due to a nagging groin issue, former Hurricane

Lonnie Walker had been earning the seal of approval from coach Gregg

Popovich. “He’s got speed. He’s aggressive. He’s really intelligent,” Popovich said of his one-and-done first-round pick. “He’s just trying to figure out the game. He wasn’t in college very long. Just diving into the NBA is going to take a bit. We’ll be patient. He’s

got a lot of qualities that are going to help him in the NBA, for sure.” Now the Spurs will have to be patient, with Walker sustaining a knee injury in a Friday exhibition, with surgery and a six- to eight-week absence to follow.

ADDED BONUS

Ruth Riley Hunter said the timing could not be better for her move into a broadcast analyst role with the Heat, arriving as

Dwyane Wade is playing out his farewell season.

“I’ve been playing with him since his rookie year and on; we were in the Olympics together in 2004,” the former WNBA star said. “He’s someone I’ve had great admiration for and

I’ve followed throughout his career. His legacy is so rich, not just what he’s done in bringing championships to Miami, but because of what he’s been able to do with his platform in sports. I think this is going to be a great celebration of what he’s done and the people here in Miami have great affection for what Dwyane has done here for this city. It’s going to be great to call the games and honor him throughout the entire season.” Riley Hunter’s Heat debut is Monday as radio analyst for the preseason game against the Orlando Magic at AmericanAirlines Arena.