The Miami Heat are getting set for one of their biggest matchups of this regular season.
With the Chicago Bulls coming to town, the team that has been directly jousting with them for the top seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference for most of the year, the Miami Heat have a chance to add more much-needed direct separation between them and the team they are directly competing against.
With that matchup on the docket to close the month of February, the end of February has also brought another special occasion to the forefront for the Miami Heat. As part of the Florida Panthers’ 28 Days Of Black Excellence, they honored the Miami Heat’s captain, a Miami legend, and the OG, Udonis Haslem.
See for yourself.
No one represents Miami Heat Culture, the city, and their principles more than Udonis Haslem. The Florida Panthers honored the man with strong Miami ties.
Last but certainly not least – @miamiheat's own @thisisud is our final 28 Days of Black Excellence honoree!
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) February 28, 2022
The Udonis Haslem Foundation's work in our South Florida community focuses on promoting youth development and self-confidence.
📝 » https://t.co/tHqBDIHvY6 pic.twitter.com/x8jLcLO3jE
A legend in his community, his franchise, and in the NBA, in general, Haslem has continued to represent the place and the community that has meant so much to him. At every given opportunity or moment, Haslem never fails to let the world know how he feels about his city and what it means to him to be in the position that he is.
Here is more from the Panthers’ profile of The Captain.
"As captain of the Miami Heat, Udonis’s story is one of personal inspiration and dedication of the highest level. Since 2005, the Udonis Haslem Foundation’s mission is to promote youth development and self-confidence through programs and services designed to enable them to reach their full personal and educational potential.UD’s motto: “Believe in yourself, stand strong on your faith, and keep God first.”"
Very well said, well said, indeed.
Other than the other 27 honorees of the Panthers’ month-long celebration, there couldn’t have been a better choice selected. As far as tieing a sturdy bow on things, there couldn’t have been a more solid, heavy-duty, and recognizable face to close it all with.
The same qualities that have gone into becoming who he is, what he is to his community, what he has meant, and continues to mean to the Miami Heat franchise are the same qualities that made him the perfect guy for this honor and the closing face.
As always, salute the OG, Udonis Haslem!