Udonis Haslem ‘thankful’ for seventh trip to NBA Finals in his final year
In his 20th and final season in the league, Gator Great Udonis Haslem has advanced to the NBA Finals for the seventh time in his career with the Miami Heat.
Haslem, 42, has spent two decades with his hometown team, signing as undrafted free agent in 2003 and becoming a key member of Miami’s rotation during all three of the franchise’s titles.
Now he has a chance to win a fourth ring after the Heat captured the Eastern Conference championship on Monday night against the Boston Celtics.
“I’m just thankful, man. Just unbelievable gratitude to continue to extend my career a little bit longer, and I don’t take any of these moments for granted. I don’t take any of these memories for granted and I’m just so fortunate to have a hell of a group of guys that go out there and fight every night,” Haslem told Will Manso of WPLG Local 10.
Miami jumped out to a 3-0 lead before dropping three straight to the Celtics, who tied the series on a buzzer-beater by Derrick White. With their 103-84 victory at Boston, the Heat won their first Game 7 on the road in franchise history.
They had lost their previous two Game 7 matchups at Toronto and Atlanta.
“I don’t think we’ve ever won a game seven on the road,” Haslem said. “So, to be able to come in here game seven on the road after dropping three in a row and losing the way we lost last game, I couldn’t be prouder. Definition of a true resilience and character, and we just continued to show that.”
Haslem was a starter on Miami’s first title team in 2006 and won back-to-back championships with the Big Three in 2012 and 2013. Haslem and the Heat also made trips to the NBA Finals in 2011, 2014 and 2020, with the most recent squad including current players Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson.
Haslem has rarely played in recent years, serving more as a leader and mentor to his teammates. He’s made eight appearances this season, including a 24-point performance in his final regular season game to beat Orlando. It marked the most points for Haslem since 2009.
Now he’s hoping to go out in style, but knows his team has a tall task ahead against the top-seeded Denver Nuggets from the Western Conference.
“You know, we got a hell of a task in front of us,” Haslem said. “It’s a hell of a team, well coached. It’s gonna continue to be an uphill battle and we gotta stay together, eliminate the mistakes and turn it into straight competition. That’s what we’re the best in the world at.”
