Rumors

Channing Frye: I will say this—my understanding was that Kevin was going to be that next guy for Miami, right? Clarify 'next'—the next UD. The next guy who was keeping that locker room solid. Your 15th guy, your number one guy, your coach, your GM, your owner—they all need to be on the same page. They need to buy into what you're selling. And Kevin was bought in a thousand percent in Miami. Now, do things happen? Yes. But I think—when you’re telling somebody at that age, 'Hey, we want you here,' you’ve got to give them a call to explain like, 'Hey, here’s why you’re going here. Here’s our thought process.' Just that level of respect. It’s not like it would’ve changed anything—but the communication is what I didn’t appreciate necessarily. I think Kevin should either go to New York, Portland, or Cleveland. That’s just my three places."

YouTube

[The OGs Show] Mario Chalmers on the Heatles: "I was the only person signed with the Heat. There was nobody else there. So they built the team around me. I told Pat, I need Bron. I need UD. I need DWade.."

reddit

“I think it’s crucial,” Heat president Pat Riley said this week when asked about the importance of keeping Haslem within the organization even after his playing career came to an end. “And I think once he gets his executive legs underneath him, there are a lot of things going on right now in UD’s life, some personal things that happened with the loss of his step-mother. So I think he’s going to be a real positive addition.”

Miami Herald

Haslem’s responsibilities include being a source to the coaching staff, mentoring both Heat and Sioux Falls Skyforce (the Heat’s G League affiliate) players, as well as representing the organization in the community and in business endeavors. “I think UD in the next year or two or three, he’ll evolve into even a bigger role if he wants it,” Riley said. “So I’ve always been on his butt about coaching. He doesn’t want to coach. But I’ve always been asking him to coach one day. Not to take Spo’s [Erik Spoelstra’s] job, obviously, but to get involved in it because he is so great with players and they have so much respect for him that it’s hard to find those kinds of ex-players who can do that. So he will play a prominent role for us and he has a strong voice, and I respect his voice.”

Miami Herald

Clutch Points: "We know how passionate [Udonis Haslem] is... We all respect Bill Russell for what he's done for us as players and as black people." Bam Adebayo on his appearance on UD's podcast and the league retiring Bill Russell's jersey 🗣️ (via @ZachWeinberger) pic.twitter.com/RRaEaamDsk

Twitter

Ira Winderman: Erik Spoelstra on Udonis Haslem's No. 40 being retired, "I'm definitely looking forward to the celebration and honoring UD. He is the face of our culture now."

Twitter

Ira Winderman: Pat Riley on adding Udonis Haslem to Heat front office, "Born and raised in Miami, UD has been an integral part of the success of the HEAT for 20 years. It’s great that he has chosen to continue to build on his incredible legacy here in Miami, where he belongs."

Twitter

James said that it was a formative time in his life, not only in his career, as he uprooted himself from the only home he'd ever known in Northeast Ohio to settle in South Florida. "It was a culture change for me," James said. "People talk about 'Heat Culture,' it was a culture change period. I was changing everything about my life for the first time in my life. To be able to be here and be able to learn and be alongside D-Wade, UD [Udonis Haslem] and Spo [Erik Spoelstra] -- those guys who had won it already -- it definitely was great to be a part of, for sure."

ESPN

Barry Jackson: ... One other media note: Udonis Haslem appeared on CBS Sports HQ this week, and the network has interest in using him again. But there's no formal agreement on a full-time job at this time. UD is busy juggling many business ventures.

Twitter

Clutch Points: Udonis Haslem signed a 1-day contract with the Miami Marlins 🔥 On September 7th, he’ll throw out the first pitch for ‘UD night’ against the Dodgers👏 (via @Marlins) pic.twitter.com/jFQxfgt5yZ

Twitter

Tim Reynolds: Pat just told this story. March 9, 2020. Heat Gala. Two nights before NBA shutdown. Pat gets a call that his brother died. He goes outside, absorbing the news. Feels a hand on his shoulder. It's UD. "Coach, I got you," he says & walks Pat to his car. Still brings Pat to tears.

Twitter

Love takes pride in getting to know his teammates on and off the floor, both personally and professionally. As a veteran, he looks for ways to help them, uplift them and get the best out of them. “Everybody has their style of leadership, and getting a locker room right, I certainly have mine,” Love said. “But just want to be an extension of guys like UD, like Jimmy, like Bam, Kyle – players like that provide so much not just on the floor but off.” Love’s connections to his Heat teammates both on the court and in the locker room could help Miami add another championship banner to its arena’s rafters. “He's just a winner,” Martin said of Love. “You can tell he just doesn't care as long as we win.”

USA Today Sports

Why did Jimmy do UD like this? 😭

Twitter

Barry Jackson: Nice to see Haslem get into early season game last night. At the moment of entering "I said this it. It solidifies my 20th season.. Every moment is special. Guys congratulated me." Only Kobe, Dirk and UD have appeared in a game in each of 20 seasons for same team.

Twitter