Miami Heat Veteran Udonis Haslem Officially Bids Farewell

Udonis Haslem, a 20-year veteran, spoke on final season with the Miami Heat.

It’s officially the end of an era with veteran Udonis Haslem moving on from the Miami Heat.

Haslem announced his retirement before the season began, and the journey is over after being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets. He spoke about how grateful he was for this historic season.

“I love each and every one of those guys, and I thank them for making my last year as memorable as they did,” Haslem said. “[Thank them] for listening, laying it all on the line and just knowing your worth. A lot of people tried to tell these guys their worth, and they didn’t listen. They maximized their potential and opportunities, and they got a taste of what it’s like to be in the Finals. I’m happy for them.”

Many anticipated he would wave goodbye to the team around the end of April but an unbelievable Finals run kept him on the roster a little longer. Haslem may not be ending his career with a ring, but a seventh appearance made this season unforgettable.

He has served as a mentor the past few seasons. Many clowned the organization for giving him a roster spot, but those on the team know his impact and off-court intangibles. He hopes to continue that impact in the near future.

“I just want to be part of this organization for the rest of my life,” Haslem said. “There's a lot of love here, man. This is family, I’m loyal to the soil. Whatever it is and whatever it takes to keep this organization at a championship level, count me in.”

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.