• Gilbert Arenas gave Udonis Haslem the credit for being the main reason behind LeBron James’ success in Miami
• Haslem turned down $33 million from the Milwaukee Bucks to remain with the ‘Big Three’ Heat
• Haslem is a franchise legend, retiring in 2023 after 20 seasons on the Heat
The Miami Heat were a force to be reckoned with after LeBron James and Chris Bosh signed up in 2010. They won two titles and made four Finals appearances in four seasons with the ‘Big Three’. Gilbert Arenas believes the primary reason for that success was the sacrifice Udonis Haslem made to stay with the Heat in 2010.
“The two championships LeBron got there, you got to credit him for it because he’s the one that took the pay cut to make it happen. UD was offered $33 million to go to Milwaukee, turned that down, and signed whatever was left. He protected his stars. You foul Dwyane Wade, you hit LeBron, you hit anybody on this team, I’m coming.”
Haslem ended up signing for $20 million with the Heat, leaving $13 million on the table then. That money soon became irrelevant as Haslem established himself as one of the most revered Heat players of all time, retiring this season after signing six consecutive minimum contracts stretching back to 2017.
Over seven contracts since 2016, Haslem made $19.1 million which ultimately paid him back for what he sacrificed. He will also soon see his jersey retired in the rafters of the Keyosha Center in Miami.
LeBron James On The Miami Heat Was Ruthless
LeBron James averaged 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game over 294 games in four seasons for the Heat. He won two MVPs and two Finals MVPs in that run. He also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, a very controversial finish given the winner Marc Gasol didn’t even get voted to All-Defense First Team.
In the playoffs, James averaged 26.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 87 games as the Heat won two championships. They had two Finals losses as well, with the 2011 loss against the Dallas Mavericks considered to be the lowest point of LeBron’s career. He also lost to a freight train Spurs team in the 2014 Finals, a loss that marked the end of his time in Miami before he returned to Cleveland.
He ultimately proved his decision to join the Heat was the best move of his career, leading the Heat to their most dominant era in franchise history. The Heat had a record of 215-79 in the regular season over these four seasons and a record of 59-28 in the playoffs.
Can The Miami Heat Win Their First Championship Since 2013?
Udonis Haslem’s departure this season means that the Heat locker room won’t have the last remnant of the franchise’s glory days with them. Even though they have made two Finals in the last four seasons, they won’t be satisfied until they win another title. Given how proficient Jimmy Butler has been, they’re trying to go all in on their present.
The Heat are looking to acquire Damian Lillard and have been locked in a stalemate with the Portland Trail Blazers for over two months. While the Heat will keep pushing for the Lillard deal, they’ve not made many moves this offseason in anticipation of the Dame trade. Without a deal, they’re likely not going to contend for a title this season.
Ultimately, you never know with the Heat until they lose their final game of the season. A Dame trade could never materialize and they may still find a way to make the Finals with a healthy Tyler Herro.
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