It was only a matter of time, but the Heat will finally be able to snatch away Haslem’s jersey in January. In a completely obvious decision, the Miami Heat will retire Udonis Haslem’s jersey on January 19th when the team takes on the Atlanta Hawks.
The team announced the date Friday, oddly enough, before playing the Hawks tonight. Heat president and basketball legend Pat Riley released a statement about retiring No. 40 in honor of Haslem, as the two have known each other since 2002, when the player went undrafted out of the University of Florida. He praised the longtime Heat member as “the best leader” to carry on a “great legacy.”“This is a great legacy, a moment of gratitude that has been earned over the 20 years that I have been an incredible championship player and, above all, the best leader,” Riley said. “He’s going to have his day and I can’t wait to see his jersey hanging from the rafters.”Haslem’s impact on the organization is palpable whether he is there or not, as he has demonstrated this season. He played 20 seasons with Miami before deciding to retire after the Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals earlier this year. He has the most rebounds in Heat history and ranks among the team’s all-time leaders in games played (second), minutes played (second) and field goals made (fifth). Additionally, Haslem will be the sixth Miami player to join the roster, joining others Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Although he is no longer on the court, he will not be leaving the Heat organization as he has accepted a front office position as vice president of basketball development. According to the team, his responsibilities include “being a resource to the coaching staff, mentoring HEAT and Skyforce players, and representing the organization in the community and business efforts.”He made fun of his attitude, saying it was difficult to critique a match from home and that he was now paid to do so with this new role. Haslem stressed that he wants to be in the locker room and help the players in any way he can.“I’m a very ambitious person and everything I get involved in affects me personally,” Haslem said. “This is how I can be the best version of myself.” I love watching basketball and talking about it all day long. It’s difficult to watch a game at home because I start criticizing and complaining. Now I can get paid to criticize and complain. And just being in the locker room with these guys, that’s me, that’s me. Move the needle.
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