Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem Has Storybook Ending To 20-Year Career

Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem finished with 24 points, including three 3-pointers in his final regular season game

Miami Heat team captain Udonis Haslem knew the jokes would come. 

Haslem played his final regular season game Sunday against the Orlando Magic, so he expected some ribbing. Before the game, the Heat honored Haslem for his 20-year career. 

His teammates presented him a rocking chair to help ease him into retirement. 

"I didn't want to sit in that damn chair until I saw the three trophies on the side," Haslem said. "When I saw the three trophies on this side, I was like, `OK, I can sit in it ... It's all fun and jokes. I've got to thank these guys because they allowed me to reinvent myself." 

Haslem didn't disappoint in his farewell. The Heat's all-time leading rebounder scored 24 points and hit three 3-pointers. He had only hit six from the arc previously. 

He is one of three players to spend 20 seasons with the same team, joining Dirk Nowitzki and the late Kobe Bryant. 

"I get a lot of flack for not really being out there necessarily with the guys but I do so much behind the scenes, playing with these guys, working with these guys," Haslem said. "Through that work, I'm allowed to stay in shape and I'm allowed to stay active. I'm just thankful that at 42 that I can go out there and play this game at a high level like this." 

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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