Heat’s Haslem giving thanks
Heat forward thankful to be contributor at 39 years old
MIAMI — What does Udonis Haslem give thanks for? Being allowed to still give what he can.
As the Miami Heat’s veteran forward reflected on Thanksgiving, he offered appreciation for still being appreciated, albeit in a different way than during his Heat championship seasons.
“Being around, it wouldn’t be easy if these guys didn’t accept me, if these guys didn’t respond to me and listen to me,” the 39-year-old father of three said. “So they make it easy for me. They make it easy for me to want to come to work every day and give everything I can give to these guys.”
And that’s the thing, even in his lack of playing time, the giving remains ongoing, albeit away from the court, out of sight of those who question carrying a mentor at the cost of a roster spot.
That’s why coach Erik Spoelstra felt it was so important recently to open the window into why Haslem is in a 17th season with the team, what Haslem has been doing, and where and when.
“It’s absolutely incredible, just his career of leadership, and how many different manifestations of that leadership that he’s brought to different teams and how he’s grown,” Spoelstra said. “Why I love it so much, in the recent years he really is a servant leader. He’s just here to serve. He’s here to help. He’s here to push and guide, drive guys to become their best — and with a vision with our culture in mind.
“He’s put his blood, sweat and tears into this culture, and he wants to see it move forward in the right fashion.”
It is, Spoelstra stressed, much active leadership.
“He’s willing to, even at this stage, to roll up his sleeves and get to work with the guys, to make sure that they’re upholding the standard that has been set with so very
many great teams,” Spoelstra sad. “But that act of service is real. If guys are doing extra conditioning, he’s not just barking at them, telling them, ‘Hey, you’ve got to get in shape.’ He’ll get on the line with them and run lines. He’ll come downstairs and get on the treadmill and do sprints with them. If he needs to jump in on defense and guard somebody to work on player development, he will do that. If he needs to beat somebody up, to make sure that they’re blocking out and having an attention to detail of that, he’ll do that.
“But all of that is such a selfless act, that it’s really admirable. And that’s why all the guys would do anything for him. And they’re conscious of it. They’re probably more aware of doing right by him than they are of me, and that’s a great sign of leadership.”
To some, this is not the way they would want to go out.
To Haslem, who has played only once in the past seven games and has appeared for a total of 11 minutes this season, it is a way to wind up with ongoing satisfaction as it winds down.
“I wouldn’t change path for nothing in my the world,” he said, having all but committed to this being his final season. “You know, it’s been bumpy, it’s been rough and a lot of times it’s been a lot of letdowns and setbacks, but where I am today, right now, mentally, physically, emotionally, I’m very happy and over-satisfied with the things that I’ve been able to accomplish.”
All while keeping the greater picture of the season in focus.
“You know, I’ve lost so many people to so many different unexplainable situations, so I definitely look at life differently, and I definitely holiday value the smallest of things right now,” he said. “So life, health, family, friends, things that money can’t buy are the things I value during the holidays and overall.”