Shaquille O'Neal‘s jersey retirement will commence Thursday night at American Airlines Arena.
You can count on one hand how many uniforms sit in the Miami Heat‘s rafters, so it's a place for the city's most special players. Dwyane Wade will enjoy his own ceremony one day, but he's too busy at the moment finishing his career with the Chicago Bulls.
One other guy, namely O'Neal, feels another player is deserving of a spot next. This player is Udonis Haslem.
The Heat forward has been with the team since being drafted in 2003, and will likely retire there completing his full career in South Beach. O'Neal has the utmost respect for Haslem and the sacrifices he made for the team.
He gave plenty of high praise to the 6'8 forward and told the media his work should not go unnoticed.
UD doesn’t get a lot of credit but he was the heart and soul of our team.
He’s a guy that came to work every day, did whatever the organization asked of him. He even took less money a couple of times just to stay with the Heat.
Many of those things are not highlighted in today's NBA but O'Neal has no problem giving credit for what he feels led the team to a championship.
He should also get his jersey retired because he’s my hero.
Soon, Haslem will surpass Wade as the player with the most games played in a Heat uniform.
His career is not over but that doesn't mean he can't be appreciated right now.
I will probably bring him up there with me so he gets the standing ovation he deserves.
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