Udonis Haslem all set to become rebounding leader for Miami Heat on Wednesday night – NBA News
As the Miami Heat prepare to take on the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Arena on Wednesday night, there is one player in the Heat roster that is waiting for the game more than anybody else on the roster. And that player is Udonis Haslem.
Haslem, a veteran with the Heat team, is only two rebounds away from surpassing the record of Alonzo Mourning for the most rebounds in Miami Heat franchise history. Mourning tallied 4807 rebounds during his time with the Heat, and Haslem is all set to breaking that record and becoming the top rebounder in the history of the franchise.
“The memories are what I'll save. Hopefully, I won't get old or Alzheimer's or something and (forget) that I was the rebounding champion. The memories are what I'll really hold on to, what are dearest to my heart,” said Haslem when asked about the anticipation of breaking the record.
Haslem could have surpassed the record last week in a game against the Phoenix Suns, but Head Coach Erik Spoelstra took him out of the game as he wanted the veteran rebounder to achieve the feat in front of home crowd. He will do so on Wednesday night in front of fans and family at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, which is his home town apart from being the city he currently plays for.
"To do it in front of my family, in front of my friends, so many people that I love and care about, in front of my home fans that have supported me for so long, it's going to be a great accomplishment," added Haslem.
Haslem was not picked by any team in 2003, after which he played in France for one season, before eventually finding a spot on the Heat team. He has now played 10 seasons with the franchise, and has become a household name in Miami. Haslem says that he was not a good rebounder in college, but his first coaching staff told him to concentrate on that skill as he could make a mark in the league by doing so. Listed at 6 foot 8 inches, Haslem is not the tallest of rebounders, but his desire to fight for the ball combined with his skills of grabbing onto the ball have made his one of the top rebounders in the league.
“For sure, by far, hands down. If anybody is going to break the record, that's the guy I would want to do it,” said former Miami Heat All Star Alonzo Mourning when asked about Haslem breaking his record. Mourning is the Vice President of Player Programmes with the Miami Heat since retiring in 2008, and says that playing with Haslem was an honour.
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