Udonis Haslem and the Miami Heat are heading back to the NBA Finals.
Haslem made seven appearances and played a grand total of 71 minutes this season, but he’s now got another NBA Finals appearance under his belt.
That’s why the lifelong big man had no choice but to thank his teammates for having another opportunity to win one more NBA championship.
Udonis Haslem with another NBA Finals appearance in year 20 👏
(via @MiamiHEAT)pic.twitter.com/Mpy56PMlAt
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 30, 2023
Haslem has totaled 65 games in his past seven years with the organization, and not because of health.
He averaged a career-high 12.0 points in the 2007-08 season and never averaged double-digits in rebounds or even a single block per game.
Also, he only shot 50+% from the floor or better in six seasons despite being in the league for 20 years now.
Obviously, Haslem is by no means a Hall of Famer, but he’s still the true embodiment of Miami Heat culture.
Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley have kept him around despite him not giving them absolutely anything on the court for almost a decade now, and that’s because of his leadership skills and mentoring.
Of course, one might say that they’d be better off just signing him to the coaching staff and freeing up that space for someone who could actually play, but it’s not like they’ve needed an extra guy who hasn’t played because of him.
Fans from rival teams will never get why Haslem is still with the organization, and that’s fine.
But he has a chance to be a part of yet another championship in franchise history, and that’s more than what the average player can say.
NEXT: Officiating Stat Shows Luck May Not Be On Heat's Side For Game 7
