Miami Heat long-time foundation Udonis Haslem boldly claims that the ‘Big Three’ of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh wouldn’t have won titles from last decade if it wasn’t for him.
Having conversations with Tyler R. Tynes of GQ, the veteran big man said he did his job and had some crucial moments for the team’s success.
“I don’t care what nobody say, I had my moments and we don’t win none of those rings without me. I did my job and that’s all you can do: Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. I had some critical moments where I had to step in and hold down the fort. Thank God [Wade] stood up and said, ‘We need this motherf–ker.'”
Haslem further said he did the dirty work for the Heat way back then — a thing that the said trio truly acknowledged.
“You can surround guys who drive the bus, who sit on the bus, but if you ain’t got somebody who can change the tires and the oil, your bus ain’t moving. You need a guy like me: who will do the dirty work, take that charge, do the things that won’t show up on the stat sheet but it equals winning. [Wade] understood that, LeBron understood that, [Bosh] understood that. If they didn’t, it’s no way those guys take less money and cut off a piece of their pie for me to stay.
“They didn’t know me. They didn’t have to do that. But they understood what I brought to the table and I was able to deliver.”
Currently 41 years in age, Haslem resided in South Beach since coming to the league as an undrafted one in 2003. A hometown hero, he was a vital piece of the Heat’s rich history in the 21st century — being a member of their three championship roster in 2006, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Having an average of 7.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in his 18 professional campaigns, he is now more of a vocal mentor, motivating anchor and the primary proponent of ‘Heat Culture’ within the lineup.
