Udonis Haslem was never the flashiest player in the NBA, but his presence on the court was undeniable. For Miami Heat fans, he wasn’t just a teammate; he was a protector. And if there’s one thing Heat legend Dwyane Wade could always count on, it was Haslem having his back. Wade himself once said, “Whenever I was in the club, whenever I was out anywhere in Miami, whenever I was on the court, UD had my back.” So, when someone dared to foul Wade, Haslem didn’t take it lightly.

Former NBA player Tyler Hansbrough found that out the hard way. Sharing his story on the Glory Daze podcast, Hansbrough revealed what went down during a heated game against the Heat.

“We were trying to set a tone for the game,” he explained. “I came in, D-Wade was going to the hoop… It was a hard foul.” He admitted that while it wasn’t dirty, it was the kind of play that could ruffle feathers, especially when it was on someone like Wade.

But Haslem wasn’t about to let that slide. “Haslem thought it was a cheap shot, so he came in and absolutely gave me a haymaker when I had an open run to the basket,” Hansbrough said, recalling the moment he hit the floor. The retaliation was so intense that Haslem earned a suspension for it.

“It kind of helped us a little bit,” Hansbrough joked, though he admitted he never dared to go after Haslem. “He’s one of those guys with a quick temper—gotta be careful with him.”

This fiery exchange happened during Game 5 of the 2012 Eastern Conference semi-finals, where Miami was locked in a physical battle with the Indiana Pacers. Haslem’s numbers—7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game—may not jump off the page, but his impact on the Heat’s success was immeasurable. Without him, Miami might not have those three championship banners hanging proudly. For Heat fans, Haslem’s loyalty cemented his legacy.

Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem have a special bond

In 2022, Udonis Haslem took fans down memory lane, recalling his infamous reaction to Tyler Hansbrough’s foul on Dwyane Wade. In an Instagram post, Haslem shared a clip from his appearance on Duncan Robinson’s podcast, where he didn’t hold back. “D-Wade takes one. He’s cut. He takes a hard one,” Haslem said. “Now I see the two guys give each other five. It was Hansbrough and [Lou] Amundson, giving each other five, ‘Oh, good job.’ Kind of like congratulating. Now the decision is made. I’m f**king somebody up.”

But for Dwyane Wade, this wasn’t just a moment of heated loyalty—it was a testament to the legacy Haslem built in Miami. Wade has always spoken highly of his long-time teammate, even calling Haslem’s career “the greatest in Miami Heat history.” During an interview with I AM ATHLETE, Wade made it clear Haslem was more than a teammate; he was family.

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“That’s a tough question because your favorite teammate isn’t usually the big names people know. It’s not normally the star players. Everybody wants me to say LeBron,” Wade shared. “But whenever I was out—at the club, anywhere in Miami, or on the court—UD had my back. We built a brotherhood.” That bond only deepened as they won championships together, cementing their relationship both on and off the court.

Earlier this year, the Miami Heat honored Haslem’s unwavering loyalty by retiring his No. 40 jersey. “Udonis Haslem, his force mattered and it counted,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “That’s one of the reasons we’re hanging his jersey here today.”