Miami Heat icon Udonis Haslem was called out recently for his hype antics that he had used to disrespect Boston Celtics legend, Bill Russell. Disrespecting another NBA athlete to motivate your team up is not a new thing in the NBA. However, this is Bill Russell we are talking about, who is one of the most respected figures in the league. Haslem’s words, “F*** Bill Russell”, struck a nerve, and a few Celtics players and their fans decided to call out Haslem for his bad mouth. Well, the 3-time champion has an answer for it. 

Haslem spoke about it in his recent podcast episode on YouTube. He shared, “I understand what Bill Russell has done for us. Aside from basketball, what he has done as a black man just for us to move forward in life, I have a lot of respect… Been a champion, I’m all about winning. If I apologize to anybody, it will be to Bill Russell’s family… That might have come off insensitive, in the heat of a moment. But I gotta lot of love and lot of respect for Bill Russell.“

However, Haslem is not sorry for the “Boston mother ******” who were pissed at him for disrespecting a Celtics legend. Haslem will continue to give them the cold shoulder. 

Udonis Haslem’s long-lasting rivalry with the Boston Celtics

Haslem and the Miami Heat in the late 2000s developed a rivalry with the Boston Celtics. The Celtics big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen put the Heat to work in 2008, the season they won a championship. Haslem took it personally and ever since, he has not failed to show the Celtics his cold side. It has continued even today. He gave a fitting reply to them when he won 2 championships later alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Anyhow, it did not end there.

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When the Celtics and the Heat faced each other in the playoffs last year, Haslem crossed the line to hype his team up. He had invited Bam Adebayo to his podcast, and the Heat center revealed Haslem’s pre-game speech, which many did not approve. Well, he has apologized to Bill Russell’s family for it now. But the Boston fans will continue to face Haslem’s wrath.

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