Miami Heat coach and players anxiously await news of Udonis Haslem
When Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem, the team's leading rebounder, exited Saturday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a torn ligament in his left foot, the Heat knew they were
losing so much more than the 8.2 rebounds he averages.
The Heat will hear back from doctors on Monday 22 November about the severity of Haslem’s left foot. Surgery is an option and he could miss up to six weeks, if not longer.
"We lose a warrior,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters on Monday.
There was a reason why Haslem, along with Wade, was named co-captain on a team that also includes LeBron James. It is because Haslem is known as a strong voice in the locker room and in
many ways, the heart and soul of this team. He is known as one of toughest on the roster and, along with Wade, has now played eight seasons with the Heat, more than anyone else on the roster.
Haslem averages 8.0 points to go along with his 8.2 rebounds but his team-mates agree that his contribution doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet.
"His toughness, not disrespecting anybody on the team, is going to be tough to replace,'' point guard Carlos Arroyo said. "He's such a tough guy and what he brings is something special
every night. But we have the guys to do it. We understand it's going to take everybody to continue to work on those details that he provides for us. Rebounding, loose balls, charges. We just have to step up.''
After a collision with Zach Randolph near the end of the third quarter against Memphis, Haslem went down and immediately pointed to his left foot. The coach knew it was serious when he
had to be carried off the court.
"I'm so used to seeing UD get injured and down on the ground during the game and so many times in 7 1/2 years I just see him pop up through some of the worst bumps and bruises and injuries
you can have,'' Spoelstra said. "I knew it was probably something a little more serious when he couldn't get up.''
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