There is no doubt that when the Big Three of the Miami Heat were together, they instilled fear in their opponents. The trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh were a formidable force on the court. Although the trio broke up after players moved out of the team, there is a veteran on the team who has been holding it down for the Heat for almost two decades now. As it turns out, he had seen some wild things transpire in the Heat locker room.
Currently, in his 19th season with the Heat, Udonis Haslem is “the OG” who controls the locker room. However, Haslem recently talked about resorting to violence on players on the team who were not willing to follow the established Heat culture.
Heat legend talks about violence in the locker room
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Haslem is the unofficial on-court coach of the Miami Heat team. Due to his experience of 19 seasons with the Heat, the management delegates a certain level of control to the 42-year-old. He recently sat down with GQ for a conversation where he talked about the Heat culture and managing players.
He said, “When you come to Miami, you?need me [laughs]. No matter what. I don?t care who you are or who you working with. You need me when you come to this city.” Being the oldest active player on the team, Haslem understands his responsibility in keeping the locker room atmosphere lively and equal for everyone.
Apr 9, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) enters the game during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY SportsThe veteran said that he has earned the OG status on the team. It is his job to make sure that nobody falls out of line within the team. He said, “It?s pretty much said when you step in the Heat locker room you fall in line with OG.”
When asked about what happens if a player doesn’t fall in line with the OG himself, he admitted to getting violent. He said, “Well?.I done tried to kill a few muhfuc*as in here for sure.” Although the 3x NBA champion did not take any names, he added, “I done had to put my hands on some people before.”
Haslem said that the Heat culture stands above everyone and everything. In other words, he put his hands on players for their own good, so they take the job seriously. Haslem also said that what you learn from being a part of that culture, stays with you wherever you go and whatever you do.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The locker room rules are pretty much established for the Miami team. But is there something that the OG of the team wants in his 19th season?
Udonis Haslem is eyeing another ring with the Heat in his 19th year with the team
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Haslem’s vision for year 19th with the Heat is very clear to him. “I?m trying to get another chip,” he said expressing his wish to win another title for his team. The Miami Heat won their play-in game against the Chicago Bulls yesterday. Although Haslem understands that his role is not to win games for his team, he said that his presence impacts winning. He also expressed his desire to win a championship for his teammate Jimmy Butler and everyone else who deserves it.
Watch This Story: 3 unknown stories from LeBron James life