The Miami Heat franchise has been in the works since November 1988. They are one of the modern franchises and, after a dismal start; they got their gears going. First, it was Alonzo Mourning, whose arrival ennobled the nature of the franchise. But that didn’t bring any championship. However, then came Dwyane Wade, and he put the Heat in a lofty place after helping them clinch the 2006 title. Then LeBron James helped the team win titles, but Wade’s name is more synonymous with the Heat.

There is one other player whose contributions have been overlooked by the wider NBA fanbase. However, he has been rewarded by the franchise in which he made his home.

Dwyane Wade Finds a Brother in the NBA Star

Wade’s arrival at the Heat marked a beginning of a new era in 2003. Unlike Wade, Udonis Haslem went undrafted in the 2002 draft, the draft year before the iconic 2003 draft that sent Dwyane to Miami. However, he built his game in the French League LNB Pro A, where he lost a ton of weight. Haslem developed a gritty basketball style and was known for his defense and hustle. 

In 2003, the Miami Heat signed, and alongside Wade, he lifted the team to Conference Semi-Finals. This was a beginning of a special bond between two players who prioritize winning over everything and can sacrifice to get it done.

Flash considers Haslem as a brother and someone who was there for him when he began his NBA journey. Haslem and Wade both grew up in rough circumstances, which gave them a fertile common ground.

While talking with Sports Illustrated, he states, ”When you come from the community me and UD come from, you may not have heard your dad or your uncles or any man in your life say, “I love you.” It was just the culture we grew up in. With UD, I was picking fights, and he was jumping in. Taking hits for me. Taking fines for me. I never had that before. That was a different level of a brother for me. “

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Haslem breathes Miami Heat

UD has been a part of the Heat franchise since 2003 and the team has continued to give him a contract even when he doesn’t play any role in the main rotation. Handing out money to a player who isn’t going to play a major on-court implies just one thing. The Heat value him highly as a mentor to the young player. 

Perhaps this is also because of his overall reputation in Miami. As Wade states, “He had his hands in every part of Miami. He’s Mr. Miami, and that’s how it should be for him.”

Haslem is a part of the Heat culture and since he came as a lucky charm to the franchise, they have won three titles since his arrival and have made seven finals. 

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What do you make of their bond? Let us know in the comments below.