Miami Heat 1-on-1: The countdown to 2018-19 begins…

Switching gears slightly, how do you feel about Udonis Haslem re-signing?

Tachauer: Ecstatic. I mean, what member of Heat Nation isn’t? People who don’t really follow Miami Heat Culture often times overlook Udonis Haslem, even calling him the likes of the team mascot. But fans know and understand just how important to the organization he really is. And I think this becomes especially true going into this 2018-19 season, seeing as Miami’s youth movement is in full swing. He’s the perfect mentor for someone like Bam Adebayo, who is always looking to become more aggressive on the floor. Even James Johnson could stand to keep learning from him, having stated multiple times that he one day hopes to walk in the veteran’s footsteps. One more year of Haslem was exactly what the Heat needed, and I’m glad both parties worked it out.

Johnson: Re-signing a franchise hero like Haslem to a contract is always a good look. Though Haslem rarely plays anymore, he still has an important role in the organization: the enforcer. Plus, having joined the heat in 2003 with Dwyane Wade, it’s only right that the two (hopefully) end their careers together. What I find most interesting in Haslem’s re-signing however, is that he is rarely placed on Miami’s inactive list. In fact, only once last season was Haslem not with the team, and that was for personal reasons for one game in February. Keeping him on the bench surely robs a young upstart from a chance in the majors, but honestly, Miami’s team wouldn’t be the same without Haslem’s grizzled presence, both on the court and off.