Greatest unsung hero in every NBA team’s history

Miami Heat: Udonis Haslem

In many ways, forward Udonis Haslem is as synonymous with the Miami Heat as Dwyane Wade is. Obviously, he won’t have a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame waiting for him as Wade does. That being said, Haslem has meant as much to this team and this city as has his longtime teammate.

These days, Haslem isn’t much more than a glorified assistant coach. He has played in only three games as of Feb. 2, 2019 averaging a whopping 1.3 points and 1.7 boards. At his peak, Haslem was a solid rebounder who had a high motor and could knock down the occasional mid-range jumper.

Between 2003 to 2012, Haslem averaged 9.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game with a 13.6 PER, a 53.9 true shooting percentage and 44.7 win shares. His role diminished when the Heat brought in LeBron James and Chris Bosh, but he remained productive even as his role with the team changed.

Since that “Big 3” era has come and gone, Haslem has basically become Miami’s version of Nick Collison: a long-tenured player that wasn’t a star. He was there when Wade and Shaquille O’Neal brought the city their first championship in 2006.

Haslem was there when that same team got blown out by the Chicago Bulls on opening night the next year. He was there when LeBron won his first title and when Ray Allen saved Miami’s repeat hopes the next year.

Haslem has gotten to be a part of some memorable moments in Heat history. So even though he won’t be remembered as an all-time great, he will be remembered for the jersey he put on for 16 seasons (and counting).