He is the daron, the boss of the locker room, the guarantor of Heat Culture. This guy is Udonis Haslem. He hardly plays anymore but he is always present on the bench to let loose when necessary. And at 42, UD decided to go back for a ride and thus reach 20 NBA seasons.
Miami fans were eagerly awaiting his decision. Udonis Haslem had even made an appointment with the Heat Nation this weekend, a bit in The Decision mode (no) to announce his plans for the coming season. This one has just fallen and UD has therefore decided that retirement will wait a little longer. In his former school of Miami High, during his basketball camp, Haslem announced Sunday his desire to reach the prestigious bar of 20 NBA seasons, all played under the colors of the Heat. A way “to finish what he started” in 2003 and at the same time to respond to the wishes of his father Johnnie, who died in August 2021 at the age of 70.
“I’m going to play this year, I talked regarding it with my father and that’s what we said to each other. It won’t be the same. It won’t be that easy. But the objective always remains the same. To win. Win a title. Leave everything on the ground and come out with your head held high. »
– UD
When Udonis Haslem says “I’m going to play”, it’s above all a way of saying that he remains a Miami Heat player. Because in reality, UD does not spend much time on the floors these days. Only 18 appearances over the last three seasons, for 130 short minutes of play, in other words, he very rarely leaves the sidelines. Enough to feed the gossips who say that he takes a place in the roster for “not much”. But the fact that he can continue to extend the adventure in his core team season following season shows the respect he exudes and his importance in the locker room. When he feels that his team is not in the game, it is he who will push a good mouthful. When he sees that a teammate needs a boost, it’s UD who goes for it. When an opponent is a little too smart, it’s Haslem who will put him in his place (hello Dwight Howard). Leader, daron, big brother… all of that is Udonis Haslem.
The native of Miami who grew up in the difficult neighborhood of Liberty City will thus enter a very prestigious category: NBA players with at least 20 seasons on the clock. In history, they are only eight to have achieved this feat, the all-time record (22) belonging to Vince Carter. And among them, only two have done so within a single franchise, namely Dirk Nowitzki at the Mavericks (21 seasons, record) and Kobe Bryant at the Lakers (20). Not bad the VIP circle. We imagine that this twentieth season will be the last for Haslem, who has just signed a one-year contract and 2.9 million dollars. But we can very well see him staying in the Florida franchise once he has finally hung up the sneakers, a bit like an Alonzo Mourning. In what role? It remains to be seen but UD has the Heat so much in their blood that Pat Riley will certainly find a warm place for them in the organization chart.
Best rebounder in the history of the Miami Heat, three-time NBA champion, and soon to be 20 seasons on the clock in the colors of the South Beach franchise, Udonis Haslem marked the latter in his own way. And without a doubt, one day he will have his jersey at the top of the Florida hall.
Source texte : @WillManso
Udonis Haslem says he’s coming to finish what he discussed with his late father regarding playing 20 seasons. Says he’s gonna finish it for his dad and his city. pic.twitter.com/sdxKB1iZyN
— Will Manso (@WillManso) August 21, 2022
