Miami Heat: A bold prediction for Udonis Haslem in the 2019-20 season

The Miami Heat have built a legacy preaching “Heat Culture”. What makes up a lot of this “Heat Culture” are “Heat Lifers”, such as Udonis Haslem.

For the last 16 seasons, there has been quite a bit of change within the Miami Heat organization. As with anything or any franchise, this is to be expected. One thing that hasn’t changed and won’t change for at least a 17th straight season, the team that Udonis Haslem will be suiting up for.

Earlier this week it was announced that UD, a respected and recognized Heat Lifer, would be returning for his 17th season with the team. While he isn’t who he used to be as far as playing time and on the court prowess, he is obviously just as impactful and influential in the locker room and with his teammates.

Haslem only played in 10 games last season for the Miami Heat, where he started in one of them. He averaged 2.5 points and 2.7 rebounds across 7.4 minutes played in those 10 games.

Those figures are what make the prediction about Haslem for this season so bold though. Here it is.

Udonis Haslem will play a meaningful stretch of minutes for the Heat in the playoffs this season

Yes, you read it right. UD will play in at least a couple of big minutes for the Miami Heat in a playoff run that will occur this upcoming season.

There are two immediate inferences that can be taken from these sentiments. The first one is that UD still has something or will have something to offer on the court when his number is called.

The answer should be “yes” here. He plays in Miami, so that means he will definitely still be in tip-top Miami Heat shape and conditioning. You have to also consider the fact that he hasn’t played a ton over the last few seasons which should make him fresh and spry, so the old saying definitely applies here, he may not be as good as he once was but he can be as good once.

The second inference is that the Miami Heat will make the playoffs and have a playoff run. This is absolutely the case.

The Miami Heat had a ton of games last season that they should have won, which saw them missing out on a playoff berth by a few games at the end. With the addition of Jimmy Butler, not only should they make the playoffs, but they will be a top seed.

That is why this is Udonis Haslem’s bold prediction. Let’s give it up one time for UD, a thick and thin, tried and true, two (shoutout to Flash) in a million, Heat Lifer.