Miami Heat’s forward Udonis Haslem on the road to recovery – NBA update
Lurking on the benches for nearly the whole season, the 6 foot 8 inch Miami Heat power forward, Udonis Haslem, finally seems to be making his way towards recovery. Haslem tore a ligament in his left foot on November 20, 2010 against the Memphis Grizzlies
in the third quarter, where he collapsed on the ground while guarding Grizzlies’ forward Zach Randolph and was taken to the lockers. He then underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to determine how long he would remain sidelined. The Heat lost that game
as they were outrebounded 15-4 after Haslem departure.
Monday marked the first time Haslem rattled the rim in nearly five months. He then hung on the basket for a while, apparently relishing the moment. This was a way of celebrating for Haslem because he couldn’t even think about that just a week ago.
Haslem said, "I'm making good strides. It's looking good. I'm not thinking I'm coming back to play 30 minutes, score 25 points and grab 15 rebounds. That's not the point. But I do think I can come back and contribute something."
Haslem has missed 54 games since his foot injury. Before injury, he was averaging eight points, 8.1 boards per game and a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 12.81 in 26.5 minutes per game. Haslem had surgery on 23 November, 2010, and an injury like his needs
no less than four month and in a few cases, eight months or more to repair.
The Heat expected Haslem to return late in March or early in tApril. The veteran also proclaimed that he is very keen to return to the court, but he also mentioned that he is well aware of the delicate nature of this injury and it will take some more time
to fully heal. Consequently, he is taking a more cautious approach, as he decidedly delayed his targeted late March return.
Haslem clarified his decision of delaying his return and said, "It's not hard because it's the smart decision. This injury is a little different, so I have to approach it a little differently than I have in the past. Having so much
time off, I had time to research the injury and learn more about it and understand it a little bit."
Haslem’s recovery is a very good omen for the Heat. With him as a playing option, the Heat will have more options in the paint. Being the only member of the Miami Heat team that won the championship in 2006, he will also provide
some desperately required experience to the Heat.
Usually the Heat leave their injured and rehabilitating players at home when they go for road trips, so the recovery process will remain uninterrupted but this time nearly all of the Heat’s training staff is going along with the
team on a four-game road trip commencing from Tuesday. Haslem will also accompany the team on the swing for the first time after his injury.
Heat guard Mario Chalmers who had sprained his knee is also expected on the trip. This will be the first time that the Heat will be taking these 15 men together away from home.
Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said, "That's the plan. The plan is to have the complete 'Band of Brothers' going with us."
For weeks Haslem has been planning to be with his side on the road, but never got the opportunity. Now he is very sure that he'll be fully fit before the playoffs to aid the Heat in their championship run.
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