GM!BOW: Udonis Haslem of Miami Heat"/>
Enough credit is not given to Haslem for what he means to the team. A lot of questions were raised when he and Dwyane Wade were Miami Heat’s team captains, because of LeBron’s entrance. The message being sent was that even though James was most likely the most athletic on the team, there were already pieces there and everything would not be shifted just because he was putting on a Miami jersey. Udonis Haslem was not able to play for a large chunk of the season, and people were beginning to wonder if he would be able to return at such a critical time in the postseason when Miami faced Boston. After the Heat put away the Celtics in five games, he was more than ready to prove his position and warranted respect in the Chicago series.
He only played four minutes in game one, where Chicago embarrassed Miami at the United Center. The Bulls blew out the Heat by 21 points and just as quick as they had been named favorites, they were crowned disappointments. Coach Spoelstra recognized what he needed to do and Haslem was up for any challenge thrown his way in this series. The very next game, once again at the United Center, Haslem played 23 minutes and scored 13 points with five rebounds, one block and only one turnover. His points included a fourth quarter dunk that allowed Miami to continue to pull away from Chicago and begin a 12-6 run lasting until the clock wound down and the game was won.
That game may have had his only double digit stat score, but he means so much more to the roster than just numbers in the box score. The world has been waiting for him to come back to the team because of the morale boost he provides and the defensive prowess he gives on the foul line and for any opponent trying to split the defense. His foul line jump shot is much improved and the hustle he gives the game is something that Miami had been missing the entire regular season. Not saying that they had not been successful, they were just missing the heart and soul of their core defense. Now that he is back, he gives the team a spark and a bigger opportunity to repeat 2006 NBA Finals history against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
Related posts:
TEE'S SNICK OF THE WEEK
I AM NBA RADIO
