Udonis Haslem was part of the Miami Heat team for 20 years and his last season didn’t exactly end on a high. This season ended with a 4-1 loss to the Boston Celtics, and he predicts they will win the Eastern Conference. Unlike last season, where they were able to beat Boston after being 3-0 down. It was Haslem’s last season; they were at least the conference champions and the eventual runner-up. And on the latest episode of the OG’s podcast, he was brutally honest about the current situation.
Udonis Haslem told Mike Miller about his behind-the-scenes role as the Vice President of Basketball Development, remarking, “I’m just a guy that you know continues to drive the culture.” He primarily focuses on players’ mentality and asks them to behave like champions as he noted, “Being a champion before you become a champion what that looks like.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The three-time NBA champion also revealed that the other top executives are also working to bring another title for the Heat. “I do um understand that there’s Championship expectations here, that’s Riley’s job to focus on that. So we ain’t been that in the last couple years, even though we’ve gotten close we haven’t gotten over the hump. ” so all of us losing sleep at night…” he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
UD further explained on the podcast that “there’s winning there’s misery so ain’t no in-between for us.” Also previously, he claimed that the Celtics would be the favorite this season to win the Eastern Conference. Udonis Haslem shared his viewpoint on the Celtics’ impressive run. On ‘NBA Today’, he said, “But what I will say is, Boston, nobody is going to beat them right now, we understand. They haven’t been battle-tested. I don’t know if that’s a good thing to get battle-tested in the finals.” He also acknowledges that more work needs to be done for the Heats.
Udonis Haslem on changes next season
Miller spoke about the changes that every team usually thinks about after the season’s completion. He asked the 43-year-old whether the Heats would make any changes. And the answer that came from Udonis Haslem was quite peculiar. “At the end of the day I don’t make them decisions. I’m glad I don’t, I got personal relationships with everybody in that locker room they’re my guys I love them guys.” he shared.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Furthermore, Haslem added, “So how that goes when it comes to bringing somebody in and somebody maybe possibly having to get traded or going out I don’t have nothing to do with that.” Being the VP, he focuses on true relationships with the players as he mentioned, “My relationship with these guys is beyond the Miami Heat and beyond basketball.”
Haslem even noted that he stays away from trade decisions because his relationship is authentic. And he truly hopes the best for each and every one of the members of this team. What changes are you expecting from the Heats? Will they finally be able to add another title since 2013? Only time will tell.