From 2010-2014, the Miami Heat experienced unprecedented power and success, making four straight Finals appearances to win two NBA Championships. Even years after the fact, that team (with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh) is widely remembered as one of the best collections of talent basketball has ever seen.
But, according to Heat veteran Udonis Haslem, that squad might be guilty of taking that run for granted. Here’s what he said in a segment on “All The Smoke” podcast:
“I don’t think we appreciated it the way we should’ve. And it’s just the God’s honest truth. The team that we had, the run that we had, the success that we had. That’s not to say that we didn’t appreciate it all, but that amount of success in that short period of time, four straight finals, I don’t think we appreciated it the way we thought we should’ve,” Haslem said.
“I think that was probably a mistake. I think we should have probably loved it a little more, yeah enjoy the process man. We were just focused on working, working, working, and next year we do it again, and is there nothing we never really took time to enjoy it.”
Winning a Championship is an important and amazing accomplishment for any NBA player. Of course, it doesn’t mean that every player learns to truly appreciate it.
It sounds like the Heat may not have taken enough time to celebrate what they were able to do, and instead focused on getting back down to business on the court.
While it’s too late to wind back the clock now, Haslem’s words give out an undeniable lesson: take some time to cherish and savor your victories. He sure wishes he did…
