Fri, November 13, 2020, 3:19 PM EST·1 min read FILE PHOTO: NBA: Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers Udonis Haslem said Friday that he will return for his 18th season with the Miami Heat -- the only team he's played with since entering the NBA in 2003. He will become just the sixth player in NBA history to spend at least 18 seasons with one team, joining Dirk Nowitzki (21 seasons with Dallas), Kobe Bryant (20, Los Angeles Lakers), John Stockton (19, Utah), Tim Duncan (19, San Antonio) and Reggie Miller (18, Indiana). Haslem played just 44 minutes last season, appearing in only four games, but coach Erik Spoelstra has made it clear he values the veteran presence the 40-year-old brings to the locker room. Haslem to return to Heat for 18th season
It is the year 3780. Mankind has mastered faster-than-light travel, but our first contact with the Zeron race of the Cescan Nebula has proven disastrous. The Zerons' advanced technology far outpaces our own, and exposure to a superior alien race has caused a spiritual and existential crisis on Planet Earth. Udonis Haslem signs a one-year contract for the veteran minimum with the Miami Heat.
I don’t expect either would argue his decision. Haslem has reached that rare status with the heat.... he picks when and how he goes out.
Heat Lifer. I think it’s a different scenario though - I think they WANT him back. Not that they have to accept he wants to stay. This was a mutual decision
Haslem is a favorite. From Miami and came to UF. Worked his but off. Then transformed his body and got a starting gig in the NBA. Has been a starter in the NBA seemingly forever.
I like that he is that valued as a player and a locker presence. The real issue, IMO, is a player who is not HOF caliber to be on the bench at his age. That means either management doesn't get it or they just don't have anyone on the map to take his place. Either one is not good. But good for UD.
This what I don’t get. I mean good for UD and glad it works out for both sides, but couldn’t they pay him the same amount to just hang around and still provide the same leadership without taking up a roster spot?
Maybe they feel he is like having a player coach on the team and someone the fans like and that is worth more then another player that would not see much time on the court anyway. His value as a coach and leader may be worth more than what they pay him.
Haslem made his season debut last night... and got ejected after 3 minutes haha Heat's Haslem tossed 3 min. into season debut
The last guy on an NBA bench rarely gets minutes so the Heat would rather have a guy like Haslem than bring in someone that isn't going to play but could upset the team dynamics
Article said he will get the minimum veteran salary, which was nearly $2.6M last year. I'd keep "playing" too if I was him as long as my knees held up. Then again, quit before your knees are shot to avoid long term issues down the road.
This is what we have been missing for a long time. We need a powerful big who stands up to shoulders lowered, elbows thrown and physically just running over guys. This year alone, when we lost, we were getting abused, everyone just played on. Our coach just thinks getting trucked or hammered is part of the game, apparently. He needs to get in the refs face and let them know, this is bullxxxx. Our twigs, “players” were docile for most of the season, only Omar retaliated in the Tennessee game. He should of faced up the player throwing shoulders and elbows, then the refs would have still ejected him, but it would have been a more manly assertion that, I am not going to take getting pummeled. When Udonis was here, we were always competitive. A man among boys, you have to recruit these and always have some muscle. Remember who just ran away with the National Championship, a tough physical Baylor team.
