Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat has seen a lot since he first joined his team back in the 2003-04 season.
He was named 2003-04 All-Rookie and also helped the team win three NBA championships.
Throughout his time in South Beach, Haslem has averaged 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds.
During the last few seasons, he’s been more a player-coach, remaining less physically active as he’s tried to train and enhance the skills of the younger players on his crew.
Udonis Haslem is coming back for his 20th NBA season, he announced at his basketball camp on Sunday.
He joins Kobe and Dirk as the only NBA players to play 20 or more seasons for a single franchise 👏
More: https://t.co/sqB8PEOvms pic.twitter.com/EHdtmKG46o
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 22, 2022
Some thought the 42-year-old would be hanging it up this summer but he’s coming back for another season.
Haslem announced that he will return to the Heat for his 20th NBA season.
That means that Haslem will join both Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki as the only NBA players to play 20 or more seasons for a single franchise.
Haslem has become something of a hero to fans of the Heat and they are elated to get more of him – even if he isn’t spending a lot of time on the floor.
UD Does It Again
Haslem only played in 13 games during the 2021-22 season and was only active for an average of 6.4 minutes per game.
His output in every single category has dropped and now he’s only producing 2.5 points a game.
Still, Haslem is a vital part of the team’s culture, chemistry, and future.
The man’s body isn’t what it once was but his mind is still very sharp and he understands the game – and the Heat – better than anyone else on the roster.
Some people foresaw Haslem retiring and joining the coaching staff of the team but he wants to run it back as a player yet again.
Fans might not be seeing a lot from Haslem but the players for Miami definitely feel his impact.
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