"My grandmother and mother would get us into our bathing suits, and we'd wade into the clear, cool waters of Snow's Pond, walking along the edges looking for blueberries, with coffee cans tied around our necks, " Watjen recalls.

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Will D-Wade convert Li-Ning shoes and apparel into must haves for American and Chinese consumers?

FORBES: Bling-Bling for Li-Ning Shoes as D-Wade Laces 'Em Up

No amount of caution or stat-supported skepticism or even a thud to LeBron and D-Wade can cool the crush.

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But with D-Wade on-board, there is no question that Li-Ning has become quite serious about increasing their footprint within the marketplace for basketball shoes and apparel.

FORBES: Bling-Bling for Li-Ning Shoes as D-Wade Laces 'Em Up

Dirk will never be a corporate pitchman the likes of LeBron or D-Wade, but he will see his marketability increase as he is now and forever a champion and a leader.

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So in comes D-Wade stage left.

FORBES: Bling-Bling for Li-Ning Shoes as D-Wade Laces 'Em Up

D. coordinator at the department of personal financial planning at Texas Tech University, and Wade Pfau, a professor of retirement income at the American College.

FORBES: Texas Tech University