Looks like Bam Adebayo had quite some nightmares during his rookie years in the Miami Heat. That too was only because of Udonis Haslem, who was possibly spending his last few years in the organization bullying the young stars. What was it like to have Haslem on your team? Well, you are getting some legendary guidance, but also some severe towel whooping if you talk too much.

Adebayo, who joined Haslem in the latest podcast episode, shared his rookie experience with the Heat. He revealed he spent most of his rookie years on the bench. Haslem, in the meantime, was giving motivation to a few youngsters. The 43-year-old shared in the podcast that an unnamed Heat star did not have a great game and he decided to guide him.

Haslem revealed, “The next game he played well, which I was happy for him. I was excited. But I could hear him sitting in the locker to another guy and he is saying, ‘yeah motherf****** acting like I ain’t really about this life, I ain’t really try to get this s*** out of the mud like everybody else is’. So I said…’Who you talking about? You talking about me?… I’d whoop your ass’. And that is what he did. Adebayo confirmed that Haslem would whoop a few players with a towel in the locker room or shower.

This is where Adebayo got the reality check. The center shared, “It was a lot of s*** going on in my rookie years… like I really had to translate. I had to look at the good out of it.” 

Bam Adebayo feels Udonis Haslem is irreplaceable

Though Adebayo might have witnessed some unexpected stuff from the Heat legend in the beginning, later in his career, he understood the worth of Haslem. Moreover, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra believes Adebayo can be the next Haslem of the organization. He shared, “I’ve really enjoyed watching him mentor the next mentor in Bam”.

Read more: Grief-Stricken Udonis Haslem Breaks Down Emotional Reason Behind Retirement: “I Wasn’t the Same”

However, the 2-time All-Star believes those are “big shoes to fill”. Adebayo also revealed, “I don’t think anybody can be another Udonis”. Haslem has been the ‘locker room guy’ for the organization for two decades now. His retirement might cost a lot for the Heat, but Adebayo can fill the big shoes to keep the momentum going. Anyhow, for the Heat center, it is a long process.

Do you think Bam Adebayo can be the next Udonis Haslem? Share your take in the comments below.

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