Even though he hasn’t played meaningful minutes in almost a decade, the 2022-23 NBA season was officially the last for Udonis Haslem.
The big man spent two decades as a member of the Miami Heat organization, serving as a mentor, leader, and a bit of an extra assistant coach.
And even though things didn’t end the way he expected after losing in the NBA Finals, the three-time NBA champion couldn’t be more proud of his teammates, thanking them for an unforgettable farewell season, per ESPN.
It's been a great ride for the 43-year-old vet 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qnWtlgtHSz
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 13, 2023
Haslem will have his jersey retired as soon as next season, that’s for sure.
He’s never going to even be considered for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, but he’s still one of the most impactful people in the history of the Heat organization.
He was a part of all three NBA titles next to Dwyane Wade, and his leadership played a pivotal part in building that so-called Heat Culture the team has taken so much pride in throughout the course of the years.
Haslem will still most likely be tied to the organization in one way or another, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him become an assistant coach under Erik Spoelstra next season or the other.
He often caught strays, mockery, and criticism for staying in the league despite playing little-to-no minutes for almost half of his career, but he will still go down as a Heat legend, and he’ll never have to pay for another drink or meal in the state of Florida for as long as he lives.
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