Udonis Haslem has never been selected to an All-Star game, yet he is still one of the most iconic Heat players today. Haslem is viewed as an amazing veteran presence in the locker room, even though he has only played sporadically over the course of the last few seasons.
Recently, Udonis Haslem made the decision to come back for one final year with the Miami Heat. He has recently made a statement on “Heat culture” following the announcement, claiming that he wants to be part of a culture that “has saved very many guys”.
Udonis Haslem, on Culture: pic.twitter.com/ersr7XEw2N
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) August 21, 2022
This ain’t no damn charity case. This is a sacrifice. I’m sacrificing for the next generation.
You know, as the bearer of Heat culture, I take it serious. It’s not a game. It’s not a joke. I know people talk about it. People, they may have this stigma on what it is and what it’s not. But it’s real. It is real. The culture is real. The culture has saved very many guys, not just me.
When you look at these undrafted guys, these guys who were on their way out of the league and people didn’t believe in them and people didn’t give them an opportunity, the culture saved them. That’s why I come back. Because I’ve watched the culture save so many like it saved me.
That’s what it is, for the people that don’t get it and don’t understand. Because people can’t get outside of themselves. Culture has saved me, and I want to continue to be part of the culture of saving people that come after me.
There is no doubt that very few people end up staying 20 seasons with one team, and Udonis Haslem has now achieved that. He is beloved both within the organization and by fans, and it’s clear that many wanted to see him return.
Hopefully, we see Udonis Haslem manage to get one last Finals appearance with the Miami Heat before retirement. He is a 3-time NBA champion already, and perhaps we’ll see him add another ring to his resume next season.
