As he is set to close out his professional career this 2022-23 season, Udonis Haslem took a deep reflection on his whole stint with the Miami Heat.
“All I’ve ever tried to do is take care of my people, take care of my city,” Haslem told AP’s Tim Reynolds. “I think that’s why I can sit down with the mayor and commissioners, or I can sit down with people in the ’hood, and be comfortable either way. It’s because of the sacrifices that I’ve made for this city.”
Haslem will cap off this season as the third player to spend their whole career on a single team for 20-plus years, joining Dirk Nowitzki for the Dallas Mavericks and Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers.
An undrafted cager from Florida, Haslem was selected to sign with the Heat as he entered the league in 2003-04, and the rest was history.
Haslem went on to become instrumental for Miami, especially on their 2006 title run as he was assigned to defend Nowitzki in their championship matchup. The Heat prevailed to win it all via a six-game series.
As he entered free agency in 2010, he proceeded to ink a new contract with the Heat but had less money compared to what he could receive from some of his suitors. He opted to do it just for the franchise to complete the groundbreaking acquisition of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to create a dynasty in Miami – which resulted in four-consecutive Finals trips and back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
From the roles, sacrifice, and mentorship he poured for the team, the entire Heat organization is thankful and flashing their flowers on Haslem.
“He’s monumentally important for our organization and our locker room,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He embodies everything that we believe in. And he has a way, because of the respect level, that he’s able to influence and mentor literally every player in the locker room.”
