Former Miami Heat star and current front office executive Udonis Haslem recently appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” to share his insights on the upcoming NBA season. During the show, Haslem was asked which team poses the biggest threat to the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics. Without hesitation, Haslem asserted that the Miami Heat are the top contenders.
Haslem emphasized the strength of the Heat’s roster, highlighting key players such as Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro. He also mentioned Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Nikola Jovic, expressing frustration that the Heat are often overlooked in discussions about potential challengers to the Celtics. Haslem passionately pointed out that Miami has consistently competed against Boston in recent playoffs, questioning why the Heat aren’t more frequently recognized as a formidable opponent.
The rivalry between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics has been intense, with the teams meeting in the playoffs four out of the last five years, each winning two series. Haslem, now the Vice President of Basketball Development for the Heat, underscored that a healthy Miami squad is capable of challenging Boston, based on their past performances. He dismissed the notion that the Heat aren’t considered serious contenders and called for an end to what he perceives as disrespect toward his team.
Host Molly Qerim countered Haslem’s claims of “Heat hate,” pointing out concerns about the uncertainty surrounding Jimmy Butler’s future with the team. Butler is reportedly seeking a two-year contract extension worth around $113 million, a topic that Heat President Pat Riley has addressed cautiously, acknowledging that the decision requires careful consideration due to the financial implications and Butler’s availability.
Despite the uncertainty, Haslem remains confident that Butler will stay with the Heat. He refuted Qerim’s concerns and criticized the media’s lack of recognition for the Heat’s accomplishments, suggesting that the team’s success with less celebrated players might not be “sexy” enough for widespread acknowledgment.
The rivalry has been further fueled by comments from Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who jokingly downplayed the difficulty of playing against Miami. Haslem responded humorously, suggesting that Tatum must still be celebrating his championship win. He congratulated the Celtics but reaffirmed that the Heat, when fully healthy, will be a formidable force in the upcoming season.
Although the Celtics defeated the Heat in the first round of last year’s playoffs, partly due to Butler’s injury, Miami is determined to improve upon their performance. With a solid core of players and the drive to overcome past setbacks, the Heat are gearing up to once again challenge their longstanding rivals, the Boston Celtics.
