Miami Heat Legend Details Experience Playing Against Kobe Bryant

Sean Jordan | Feb 20, 2025

Jan 19, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Udonis Haslem speaks after his jersey was lifted to the rafters during the retirement ceremony during halftime of the game between the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images / Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Udonis Haslem's illustrious career in Miami is well-documented.

His 20-season tenure is among the longest in NBA history with one organization. After his career, he has taken a role in the Heat front office, becoming the Vice President of Basketball Development following his retirement in July 2023.

During his career, he has faced multiple All-Stars and members of the Hall of Fame. On a recent episode of his podcast, The OGs Show, Haslem described his experience playing against none other than Kobe Bryant.

You’ll never believe what UD said to Kobe 👀 pic.twitter.com/xCVYYn8sbT

— The OGs Show (@theOGsShow) February 20, 2025

"We were playing against the Lakers—me and Dwight going back and forth—and then Kobe got involved," Haslem said. "I said, ‘Stay outta this, Kobe. This ain’t got nothing to do with you.’ And he said, ‘Oh, so you’re a tough guy now?"

The Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers had plenty of matchups throughout both of these players' careers. Similar to Haslem, Bryant spent his 20-year career with the same team. Bryant's strong mentality on the court is well-known throughout the basketball community.

The Lakers tried emulating the Heat's original Big Three idea. Where the Heat acquired both LeBron James and Chris Bosh to pair with Dwyane Wade, the Lakers added Dwight Howard and Steve Nash to team up with Bryant in 2012. The formula didn't fully work out for Los Angeles as Howard would spend one season with the Lakers and Nash saw massive regression as he inched closer to his retirement in 2015.

Throughout his career, Haslem transitioned into a player-coach and his aggressive attitude on the court, even against the absolute greats, helped the Heat develop young players into stars.

HARDAWAY CALLS OUT BUTLER

The Jimmy Butler trade continues to loom over the Miami Heat.

Butler was traded two weeks ago after a season full of dispute between him and the Heat front office. He was traded to the Golden State Warriors for forwards Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson along with a future protected first-round pick. Last summer, Butler requested a contract extension from the franchise he helped lead to two Eastern Conference titles throughout his near six-season tenure.

Heat president Pat Riley denied a contract extension, leading to a falling out between the two. Butler's age made it difficult for Riley and the Heat to commit to more seasons. Butler has a player option this summer but all signs pointed to him declining that option and entering free agency if not moved prior to the deadline.

During his final few weeks as a member of the Heat, the team indefinitely suspended him after he reportedly distanced himself from the organization.

Miami Heat legend Tim Hardaway recently made an appearance on Sirius XM Radio. He expressed his opinion on how Butler handled his trade situation.

"I didn't agree with what [Butler] was doing," Hardaway said. "You're under contract. You a baby. You're a crybaby because they said 'no' to you. We used to get said 'no' to us all the time and we used to know how to take it. It is what it is."

Hardaway played for the Heat from 1996 to 2001. During his tenure, he made two All-Star appearances along with a First-Team All-NBA nod and two Second-Team nods as well. Hardaway attributes the Heat's recent stretches of Play-In appearances to Butler's missed action.

"You can't deviate and mess up the team," Hardaway later added. "They said 'no'. We want to see you play more games. We don't want to be in the Play-In games. If he played more games, they would have never been in the Play-In games both years. Even though they went to the championship, they never would have been in the Play-In games. That takes a lot out of you."

The Heat's new additions from the Butler blockbuster deal look to make an impact as the team fights for a sixth consecutive playoff appearance.

HEAT CONTINUE TO SLIP IN NBA POWER RANKINGS

After the All-Star break, the Miami Heat are hoping to get their season back on track.

The team is 2-5 through the month of February. Last week prior to All-Star Weekend, the team sat at No. 17 in NBA.com's power rankings. This week, they have dropped down to No. 20.

This is the lowest the Heat have been ranked throughout a season full of ups-and-downs. After the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade, the team is ready to regroup as they hunt for a spot in the postseason.

The team's rough season was further analyzed by longtime NBA writer John Schuhmann.

"As they stand now, this is the Heat’s worst season in the last 10 years (since 2014-15), both regarding winning percentage and point differential per 100 possessions," Schuhmann wrote. "They have a top-10 defense for what would be the fifth straight year but are one of only eight teams that have allowed more points per 100 possessions than they did last season."

Coming out of the All-Star break, the Heat look to implement the new additions to their rotation. Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson were the two main players received in the Butler trade from the Golden State Warriors. Davion Mitchell, acquired in a separate deal, also looks to make an impact.

The Heat currently sit three games below .500 with a 25-28 record. They sit at the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference, three games back from a top-six seed to avoid a spot in the Play-In Tournament.

The Heat embark on a three-game road trip with two of those games occurring this week. The team travels to Toronto on Friday night before facing off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday evening.

Sean Jordan is a contributor to Miami Heat On Sports Illustrated. He can be reached at sjorda06@syr.edu.

Follow our coverage on Facebook

X: @SeanKJordan