Udonis Haslem has been in the NBA as long as LeBron James. Only three players from 2003 have survived, with two of them being drafted that year.LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Haslem are the only three players to still be active after 20 years.
Advertisement
Out of which, only one member of this eclectic trio has been in the league at the highest level. Bron has surpassed everyone to attain GOAT status for some, and Haslem, on the other hand, is on the other end of the spectrum. Refusing to retire even well past his due date, Haslem continues to defy the odds.
How you may ask? by playing less than 10 minutes a game since the 2015–16 season. Haslem has only played more than 10 minutes in one season in seven years, in 2019-20. Even then, he played only 11 minutes, starting just one game and playing four.
To make it even more incredulous, the Heat veteran has played 100 games in 7 years—to put it into context, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have played that in one full calendar year. So his claim that he can still hold himself to the high standards of the young is nonsense.
“There’s no way I’m able to still be out here running and jumping and keeping up with these guys at 42 if I didn’t take care of my body in a certain way. So that was something I took out of Bron’s book.”
– Udonis Haslem
(@Anthony_Chiang) pic.twitter.com/5fScQuR56V
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 5, 2023
Udonis Haslem knows LeBron James closely – they played together for 4 years
The duo played together for 4 years when Bron had the infamous “Decision” broadcast on TV. They went to four straight finals, won two titles, and got to know each other well. Haslem, 4.5 years senior to LeBron James, had to learn new tricks as an old dog to stay in the league.
The Miami Heat also seem to be okay with keeping him on the roster, since he’s been acting as an assistant coach already. The wealth of experience he brings to the table is irreplaceable. They have a player who can give you garbage time minutes and coach the young bucks for the low cost of a roster spot and a veteran’s minimum salary.
Also Read: What Happened to JJ Redick: Evaluating Magic’s 6FT 3’ Guard’s Career After NBA
NBA Twitter hasn’t taken kindly to Udonis Haslem’s statement – they are out to make his situation abundantly clear
NBA Twitter likes to take the mickey out of anyone who exaggerates – Just ask serial liar LeBron James. So if someone notices they use Bron’s name in vain, nobody is getting spared.
UD running and jumping out there at 42 pic.twitter.com/jdaJCH72Mq
— The CaruShow (@BaldMambaSZN) January 5, 2023
UD has been on the bench so long, his playing just feels awkward. It’s almost like he’s been treated like a charity case, he only plays because his mother asked nicely.
Bro you’re not out here running or jumpingYou on the bench and if you lucky you get 5 mins of game time wtf
— ²³☄️ (@BronGotGame) January 5, 2023
UD has 703 minutes since 2015-16
181 players have done that this season
334 players did it last season
— pissboi in the snow ❄️ ⛄️ (@PizzafaceJake) January 5, 2023
— LBJ & G12 Fan✨ (@g12_lj) January 5, 2023
Udonis Haslem may be super fit considering a normal 42-year-old, but as an athlete, he was done about 10 years ago. He’s not jumping and holding his own with the young ones, that is for sure. If he means little kids, then that’s a different matter.
Also Read: Devin Booker 70 Point Game Stats: Breaking Down Booker’s Historic Game and Loss Vs the Celtics
