NBA Miami Heat

Udonis Haslem Continues To Make Impact For Miami Heat

Fresh Videos

By @blackirishpr

Miami Heat Media Day 2013

Getty Images

Co-captains usually are not forgotten men on a basketball team, however, that is the role that Udonis Haslem has played for the Miami Heat for the last three seasons.

Unfortunately for the veteran power forward, the beginning of this one seemed the same, as he was yet to make his 2014-15 debut due to a quadriceps injury. But Saturday night brought the usual wrinkle.

Put it this way, if Dwyane Wade is the “break in case of emergency” guy, as he was in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves , then Haslem is mister break when anything goes wrong.

That goes for getting his teammates in line when they aren’t showing effort, standing up for them when they are being harassed, bringing hustle and stepping up when the Heat have injuries. And in typical fashion, that is what UD did with Chris Bosh’s backups both sitting on the inactive list.

With Chris Andersen (rib) and Justin Hamilton (adductor) out, Haslem did more than grab six defensive rebounds and provide an unexpected eight points on 4-of-6 shooting. He provided a calming affect that alleviated pressure off of a Miami defense that has been shaky during their two-game losing streak.

Or as Bosh stated, the undersized, overmatched Haslem was “that linebacker that we always talk about, directing guys where they should be.”

Now if only the rest of the Heat would develop their co-captain’s old school Pittsburgh Steelers mentality  on second-chance opportunities.

Richard Nurse is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @blackirishpr or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on