As a high school student, Udonis Haslem made backboard-breaking dunks, thrived at Miami High, then starred at Florida but struggled with weight, and NBA teams passed on him in 2002.
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If Udonis Haslem’s mother had not relocated from Miami to Jacksonville, this story might never have been told. Or if his stepbrother hadn’t thought of an airball. Or if he was signed by Atlanta in 2002. Imagine supposing it happened in San Antonio in 2003. Everything changes if any of those things occur differently. He’d most likely not be with the Miami Heat right now. Perhaps never.
Haslem, the NBA’s oldest active player at 42 years old and a three-time champion, is nearing the end of his career with his home team. He joins Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant as the third player to have a two-decade career with the same team.
“All I’ve ever tried to do is take care of my people, take care of my city,” Haslem said. “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.”
Pat Riley Miami Heat president had just 3 words to say to Haslem, “Udonis is Miami,” Riley said. In 2003-04, Haslem was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie team. He was never an All-Star, All-NBA, or even a Player of the Week out of 438 opportunities. He last averaged double digits in a season in 2009.
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Udonis Haslem is a name that brings to mind hard work, determination, and a winning spirit. Udonis Haslem’s hometown team, the Miami Heat, will honor the veteran forward with “4 Days of 40” – a fun, fan-first campaign celebrating his unique journey and lifelong connection to the Magic City – in honor of his illustrious 20-year NBA career, which includes three NBA championships with his home team.
Haslem, who embodies the term “Heat lifer,” is held in the highest regard by the NBA. His unwavering loyalty to the team during its highs and lows shows how deeply ingrained it runs in his blood.
“A real vet is a guy like Udonis Haslem, a guy who is strictly for the team,” said Dillion Brooks of the Memphis Grizzlies.
And Haslem has enjoyed the loyalty of the Heat. Since 2016–17, the veteran hasn’t participated in more than 16 games in a season, but Miami keeps bringing him back due to his importance as a mentor and his unrivaled understanding of the team’s culture.
More amazing than Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) and the late Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), who both spent their whole careers with one team, is Haslem’s ability to hold onto a roster place. Even without a regular rotation position in the latter half of his career, he remains essential to this highly-running organization. He is undoubtedly acting morally and in many other ways that aren’t reflected in the box scores.
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