“Curtains OUT” Udonis Haslem goes full LeBron James with announcement on retirement decision announcement
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Udonis Haslem
Udonis Haslem has been Miami Heat’s longest-serving athlete. And at the age of 42, he is looking to make a firm decision about his return to the team. Haslem is a free agent at the moment and has Miami doors open for him as always. But he plans to make the announcement at a basketball camp at Miami Senior High School, where he played. It somewhat resembles the “LeBron James’ decision with the Miami”. Back in 2010, ESPN produced a full segment on LeBron James’ decision over joining the Miami Heat. Member of that championship team, Haslem certainly hasn’t forgotten about that momentous occasion. And it seems like he wants to come out with his own version of the same.
Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Haslem shared uncertainty over his decision over playing for the franchise again. Haslem said, “I don’t know. We’re thinking about it. But either way, I’m always going to be a part of the Heat family. I ain’t going nowhere, whether I play or not. I’m always going to impact that organization.”
Haslem plays a mentor player role in the last few seasons. Many outsiders wouldn’t understand his importance in the team and the locker room, but Haslem shrugging away others’ opinions will be making his decision on Sunday.
Udonis Haslem full career recap with Miami Heat.
Miami-born Haslem was an undrafted player in the 2002 NBA draft. But after spending 1 year with the French side, he returned to his native land, and signed with the Miami Heat team, in 2003. Since then it relationship between the franchise and the athlete grew till his latest season. Haslem played in 19 seasons with the franchise and won 3 NBA championships with them.
Though Haslem was mainly a role player in the star-studded teams, he did have a useful impact on the team’s outcomes. He is the Heat’s leader in career rebounds; with nearly 1000 rebounds more than second-placed HOF Alonzo Mourning. With this, he became the only ‘undrafted’ player to lead any NBA team in rebounding.
He had the best season in 2008 when he scored a career-high average of 12 points per game clocking around 37 minutes on the floor. Playing a vital role in the early “building” of the Miami Heat, Udonis Haslem had the privilege to play with some of the megastars of the league like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, and Chris Bosh.
Reacting to the retirement decision Haslem said, “Hopefully one day we talk about ownership and being in that situation where I continue to be somewhat of a leader, but more be a hybrid owner. An owner that gets out there and does more than just sit on the sideline, cross his legs and watch. I want to work. I want to continue to push the culture and continue to impact the next generation of winning for the Miami Heat.”
He’s looking at the “whole situation” and considering a lot of things before making a life-changing decision. Whatever may be his decision, one thing is certain from the Heat’s point of view the Heat nation will be completely behind him.
Also Read: “We both have moved on” NBA Insider reveals how he drifted away from LeBron James
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Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)