2023-12-23 01:13:56
The soul of the Heat’s tough guy culture—Udonis Haslem. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat officially announced that they will face the Atlanta Hawks in January 2024. Retired player Udonis Haslem’s No. 40 jersey will forever be hung high on the ceiling of the Heat’s home court.
This No. 40 jersey will be the sixth retired player in the history of the Heat. Let’s look at the first five names: Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal ‘Neal), Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade, all are legendary stars at the Hall of Fame level. On the other hand, Haas Blue, who averaged 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in his career and has almost no awards, will be selected in the future. The chances of being in the Hall of Fame are slim, but he is definitely a unique presence in the history of the Heat that is hard to shake.
Haaslan has played in the league for 20 years, all wearing Heat jerseys. In the history of the league, he, Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki are the only players who have played for at least 20 years in their playing careers. On the same team, especially when Haaslan had the capital to get a better contract, he actively chose to cut his salary and stay with the team to help the Heat recruit more big-name stars. It is also one of the key factors in achieving the three championships in team history so far.
Haaslan, who was born in Miami in 1980, did not leave Florida, where Miami belongs, in high school or college. However, he was not favored by any team in the 2002 draft, so he could only temporarily leave his hometown to seek life. This experience made Haaslan Silan began to take his basketball career seriously and put more thought into training, basic skills and implementing team policies. This also allowed him to introduce a unique tough guy culture to the Heat after joining the Heat in 2003.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images (Christian Petersen via Getty Images)
Many fans may mistakenly believe that the iron-blooded discipline that the Heat are now proud of comes from Jimmy Butler, who joined the team in 2019. After all, his qualifications in leading the team to the Finals twice in the past few years are too eye-catching. However, Long before Butler arrived, Haslan had become the Heat’s toughest spiritual leader.
On the court, in addition to playing a competent hard worker in the penalty area, Haaslan also used his own way to defend the territory for his stars. One of the most representative moments of Haaslan’s career was the second round of 2012 against the Pacers. In the series, after Wade was shot down from the air by Pacers player Tyler Hansbrough with a flagrant foul, Haslan immediately responded to Hansbrough in the same way on the next wave of defense, warning his opponent not to Feel free to violate our stars.
Off the court, Haas Blue has also become the target of many Leafs players to look up to. In recent years, the Heat have been able to figure out Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Max Strus, etc. A functional player with a very high CP value, Haslan’s teachings and teachings are definitely indispensable. Even when facing cricket stars such as O’Neal and Butler, Haslan is not afraid to correct their deviant behaviors through conflict.
Haaslan is certainly not the most dazzling star in the history of the Heat, but as Heat president Pat Riley said: “In addition to being an incredible champion for the past 20 years, the most important thing is that Haaslan is , he is the best leader on this team and I can’t wait to see his jersey hanging high on the court.”
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