Hoops Habit
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Hoops Habit’s favorite moments and stories from the 2022-23 NBA season

By Leocciano Callao

Feb 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) hugs agent Rich Paul after breaking the all-time scoring record in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) hugs agent Rich Paul after breaking the all-time scoring record in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 30: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat looks on during game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks on April 30, 2023 in New York City. The Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 108-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 30: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat looks on during game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks on April 30, 2023 in New York City. The Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 108-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Michael Shearer: Where were you when Udonis Haslem made history?

The Miami native spent 20 years with the Heat, playing rugged defense and hitting clutch shots for a decade-plus before transitioning into the wise-old-elder phase of his career. A nostalgic finale before a raucous home crowd was a foregone conclusion, a cute story to end a solid career. But Haslem had one last surprise in store for everyone. Befitting his jersey number, UD must have used some WD-40 on his joints as he went out with the biggest “BANG!” imaginable.

Haslem’s 9-of-17 shooting performance for 24 points (including three triples after having only bagged six in his entire career to that point!) was tied for his second-highest scoring game ever and the most since he had 28 back in 2009. Just months from his 43rd birthday, Haslem set the record as the oldest player to score 20+ points in a game (topping Vince Carter in age and quantity).

UDominator blocked a blooper, caught a charge, nailed the nail jumpers he always loved, banged home classic baseliners, and even slammed a shot in front of dozens of friends and former teammates, including a Haslem-jerseyed Dwyane Wade. UD spent a career doing the dirty work, but for one night, he allowed himself to break character and hunt his own shot – and it was glorious. To say it was vintage Udonis isn’t true; this was close to the best offensive performance of Haslem’s career, achieved in a way he’d never taken.

And in what might be the most telling Haslem stat of all… the Heat got the win.

Non-superstars almost never retire willingly; they get retired by a league that passes them by. So when a local legend writes his own twist ending, everyone’s a winner.