Udonis Haslem shares a heartfelt message on Twitter - “Not bad for a 42 year old huh?”
Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem delivered a tremendous performance in the final game of the regular season. With the 42-year old veteran also announcing his retirement after the game, Haslem shared a few sentimental words on Twitter.
Haslem has been one of the most loyal and hardworking players in NBA history. After 19-years in the NBA, he finally called it a career after Miami's last game against the Orlando Magic.
The veteran, who rarely steps out on the floor, played 25 minutes against Orlando. To everyone's surprise, he led the scoring charge with 24 points while notching three rebounds to go with it.
His display in his final game was met with a lot of positive regard from the public and the media. In light of this, Haslem also shared a rather heartfelt message reflecting on his career on Twitter. He said:
"24 Pts, 53% from the field, 3 threes. Not bad for a 42 year old huh? Thankful for 20 yrs, my family, friends, teammates, & fans along this amazing journey. From undrafted to all time leading rebounder.. it’s just work!! Can’t put into words all the emotions I’ve been feeling…"
24 Pts, 53% from the field, 3 threes. Not bad for a 42 year old huh? Thankful for 20 yrs, my family, friends, teammates, & fans along this amazing journey. From undrafted to all time leading rebounder.. it’s just work!! Can’t put into words all the emotions I’ve been feeling… https://t.co/lai3FWqi6P
Udonis Haslem's career trajectory has been nothing short of impressive. The 42-year old spent his entire career as the embodiment of a model role player.
Haslem also sees himself immortalized in Miami's record books as the franchise's all-time rebounds leader. With three NBA titles under his belt as well, the Heat forward has enjoyed a rather fruitful career.
Udonis Haslem played a key role in Miami's title runs
Udonis Haslem may not have made much of an impact on the statsheet. However, his impact on the floor was tangible for the Miami Heat. The power forward made hustling for rebounds his identity. In this regard, he became invaluable for the Heat when they made their title charges.
Haslem was a starter for Miami when they made their title run in the 2006 NBA Finals. Joining Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal, he drew the task of guarding Dallas Mavericks superstar Dirk Nowtizki.
He had to take on a bench role during Miami's "Heatles" era. However, he remains a valuable piece in the Heat machine. As a veteran presence with title experience, the veteran was the voice in the locker room that made Miami so dangerous in the playoffs.
As time went on, Haslem gradually moved further down the bench as the years finally caught up with him. However, he remained relevant by taking on a more coaching-oriented role.