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Miami Heat: Can Udonis Haslem Still Make an Impact?

By David Ramil

Dec 17, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem looks on in the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem looks on in the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Heat have a loaded front court, with two All-Stars at forward and a burgeoning star at center, not to mention a solid group of reserves that can provide scoring and versatility. And there’s the 12-year veteran Udonis Haslem, whose role with the team seems less defined with the start of the season just weeks away.

Haslem played in an unexpected number of games (62, to be exact) in 2014-15, the result of having a roster depleted by injuries. He missed as many games (five) in the last three months of the season as he did in its first week, held out of action at the start of the campaign.

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He still played less than 1,000 minutes for just the third time in his career and the new roster might mean even less for the grizzled veteran.

But he’s not quite ready to call it quits, yet, as he revealed to The Palm Beach Post’s Jason Lieser:

"“I just make sure to keep myself ready and give myself a chance to play this game. I feel fine. I feel like I could go three or four more years depending on how Coach might need to use me or what the situation might be. When I was needed to go out there and play big minutes, I was able to put up some pretty decent numbers. If these guys need me, I’ve gotta make sure I stay ready.”"

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Still, how much of this is a realistic assessment or simply a player unwilling to accept the limitations that grow with time remains to be seen.

Haslem’s role is a tough one to determine, a challenge that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra will have to face at some point in the season. The power forward position seems set, with Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts, both returning from injury, likely to get the bulk of the minutes.

At center, Hassan Whiteside will start with either Amar’e Stoudemire or Chris Andersen – reportedly still being shopped around via trade – set to back him up.

Andersen is the X-factor, here; should he be traded, that would certainly give Haslem a chance at a little more playing time. But Stoudemire, who recently proclaimed that he’s still capable of returning to All-Star form, would still be the best option to back up Whiteside.

The two scenarios most likely to result in increased playing time for Haslem revolve on the health of their starters and Andersen’s nebulous status with the team. If Whiteside misses time for any reason, Andersen (assuming he’s on the roster) would likely start in his place, with Stoudemire providing a capable scoring presence off the bench.

In this case, Haslem might be utilized only if either option gets into foul trouble.

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    • Should Bosh be inactive at some point, however, then Haslem is likely to be chosen over McRoberts or Stoudemire as the starter. It’s a sad state of affairs when “U.D.,” who walks onto the court almost out of pure force of will, is one of the most mobile of Miami’s frontcourt options off the bench.

    McRoberts could do an admirable job here but, at this point in his career and with the Heat’s roster as currently constructed, he’s best suited for a sixth-man role, providing the kind of playmaking ability that could boost their second unit into respectability.

    Haslem did start 18 of Miami’s last 24 games, playing in 20 minutes or more for nine of them. Spoelstra used him as defensive stopgap who doesn’t really require the ball in his hands; he’s not there to score at this point in his career.

    Instead, as the NBA moves to smaller and smaller lineups, Haslem will get playing time because he can provide earnest (if slow-footed) defense as well as grab the occasional rebound or score the increasingly-rare basket (his 9.4 points per 36 minutes is the third-lowest mark of his career).

    He can still provide some gritty production, as Lieser points out:

    "“Haslem was crucial in two games down the stretch as Miami clawed for a playoff spot, including his best performance of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds to help beat the Pistons. He also went for 12 and 12 while gutting out 38 minutes in a win at Boston on a night in which he ignored a variety of injuries while the training staff strongly advised him not to play.”"

    That sounds like a perfect summary of Haslem’s tenure in Miami. He has defied all expectations after being undrafted out of the University of Florida and had a prolific career highlighted by three championships. As Haslem added, “As long as I’ve got the will to compete and I’m not hurting these guys, I’m going to compete.”

    Heat fans wouldn’t expect it any other way.

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