Walking away from the game is tough for any athlete. Some players, like Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade get a hero's sendoff in their final games. Others, like Heat teammate Udonis Haslem, fly under the radar.
With the season quickly approaching the halfway point, Haslem is rethinking his decision to retire at year's end, per Shandel Richardson of The Athletic.
“I’m not 100 percent sure I’m done. I know I said I had nothing else to prove. It’s coming close but, man, I still have so much to give.” Haslem said.
What Haslem has given to the game is 16 years of his life to the game of basketball and to the city of Miami. He earned a reputation as a hard nosed and aggressive player. He's gone to battle with whoever wears the same uniform as him.
Things are not coming to an end in the way Haslem would have wanted. He's totaled only 15 minutes all season, while he watches longtime teammate Wade get standing ovations. It can be a tough pill to swallow. Of course, that is not the reason he wants to postpone his retirement.
“We’ll see. I’m going to talk to (Heat CEO) Nick Arison and talk to the guys and just weigh my options. I’ve still got the fire to burn. I’ve still got something to contribute.” Haslem said.
That competitive spirit can only carry him so far. Haslem will have to get on the court for it to show, and that has been a struggle this year. It seems unlikely he will reverse his role and play another year. He would make an excellent future coach of the Miami Heat.
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