“There’s a reason why I’m f**king here” - 3x NBA champion slams the ‘dumb motherf**kers’ who think he’s hogging a place with the Miami Heat
Despite playing very rarely, few people mean more to their team than Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat. The 42-year-old has spent the last 19 seasons with the organization and has played a key role in maintaining what has been coined "Heat Culture."
Over the past three seasons, Udonis Haslem has appeared in only 18 games for the Miami Heat. Even with such extremely minimal time spent on the court, the front office continues to re-sign the veteran big man. Essentially, Haslem has become an assistant coach in uniform.
Udonis Haslem is PISSED https://t.co/IWatk4Pl4J
Haslem was recently called out for taking up a roster spot every year simply to warm the bench. The three-time champion did not hold back while responding to his critics.
"Another misconception is that I take up a roster spot. People don’t know that we got the most undrafted people in the NBA on our team. There’s literally something going on here, people, which you dumb motherf****** can’t understand," he was quoted as saying by Heat Nation.
"You’re so focused on my age and why I’m here. There’s a reason why I’m f****** here.”
Are the Miami Heat wasing a roster spot on Udonis Haslem?
Some might feel the Heat are wasting a roster spot signing Udonis Haslem every year. However, that is not the case.
While he might not be able to provide much help on the court anymore, his value comes in the locker room and behind the scenes.
The moment when Udonis Haslem and the Heat presented Tyler Herro with his Sixth Man of the Year award 🙌 https://t.co/FRwu8EDyPj
For any team looking to compete for an NBA title, culture and experience are extremely important.
Haslem has been with the Heat for nearly two decades and knows what it takes to win at the highest level. Part of why the organization is so well respected is because of guys like him who enforce the right mentality.
It's also worth noting that the Heat are typically one of the deepest teams in the league every year. So it would be unwise to say it's a waste for them to sign Haslem.
Good veteran leadership is hard to find in the NBA. Some might think it serves little purpose. But a well-run organization would not make such a move unless they considered it important.