After missing a month due to a bone bruise in his back, Heat forward Justise Winslow returned to action last Wednesday, logging 16 minutes against Indiana. However, he complained of discomfort after the game and has been back on the shelf since then, having returned to Miami before the club’s road trip was finished.
According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, the decision to send him Winslow early was made by the team, rather than the player. However, it was not disciplinary in any way — the Heat simply wanted to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment process for Winslow, who is consulting with a specialist regarding his back injury.
Now that the Heat are back in Miami following Sunday’s loss in New York, head coach Erik Spoelstra expects to have more information soon on Winslow’s latest setback, Jackson writes.
“He’s going to shut it down a little bit, but he’s taking it well. He’s in the right state of mind,” Derrick Jones said of his Heat teammate. “He was good with (leaving the road trip early). He’s going home to get better and healthy.”
Here’s more out of Miami:
- Udonis Haslem hasn’t officially announced that this will be his final NBA season, but Dwyane Wade‘s upcoming three-day jersey retirement proceedings got the big man thinking about what his own farewell would look like, as Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel writes. “I mean, mine’s going to go forever, because I’m from there,” the Miami native said, joking that he’ll need at least a week. “I haven’t even thought about it. I just saw that he got two or three days. Mine’s going to be parties in a lot of different areas of Miami when I retire.”
- In a separate mailbag article, Winderman explores whether the current Heat roster is built to win in the playoffs, given its reliance on young players like Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, and Duncan Robinson.
- As we relayed earlier today, the Heat and Chris Silva have reached an agreement on a three-year deal that they’ll finalize on Tuesday. Andre Fernandez of The Athletic tweets that the contract will be fully guaranteed for the rest of this year and next season, but not for 2021/22.
Why does Haslem hold himself so highly?
Just because you were born in Miami and played your whole career here it ain’t that special.
You career averages are 7.5 points and 7 rebounds.
For the last 4 years you’ve played less than 20 games a season and less than 10 minutes a game.
The 3 championships you won aren’t special, the first one was with DWade Shaq Mourning and Walker.
The other two came with DWade LeBron Bosh and Battier.
DWade is a legend, a top 30 player of all time.
3 championships, a finals MVP, 13 times All star, 8 all nba teams, a all star mvp and a scoring title.
Haslem don’t try elevate yourself with him
Just riding Wade’s coat tails like Kyrie did in Cleveland.
Uhhh, he’s an NBA player which puts him at the very top of worldwide basketball talent… Man, you really say some crazy stuff
Haslem is a local hero. He’s a local kid that defied the odds and had a long career as a solid and respected member of the Heat and the “Heat Culture”. He wasn’t just about performance, but also about leadership and enforcing the atmosphere that allowed D-Wade, Shaq, LeBron, and Bosh to all do their jobs without the distractions that come with teams that have bad chemistry deal with. He made Spo and Riley’s jobs of managing players a lot easier as he policed the locker room. He’ll be part of the Heat franchise beyond basketball and very likely until he leaves this earth. He’s “Mr. 305” and a “Heat Lifer” for a reason.
Respectfully, in most cities where basketball is taken seriously, a guy who was a great HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER, but never did great things after high school – whether college or pro – can still be thought of as legendary in that particular city. (Damon Bailey, Marcus Liberty, etc…)
The fact that Haslem played in his hometown in the NBA for the Heat his whole career would be significant, even without winning championships. So, I can understand how he feels.
Udonis Haslem is embodiment of Miami Heat culture, and is the heartbeat of this franchise since Alonzo Mourning retired. I’ve said so much about him in this space previously, but in response to a comment like yours, now, this is sufficient
You also obviously didnt watch the NBA Finals in 2006 if you dont think Haslem had anything to do with coming away with the W
Tazza, can I just ask how old you are? If you’re very young then I appreciate your enthusiasm for this great game!
Haslem was definitely money from the elbows and short corners. Brought the toughness they needed… screening, rebounding, and being the first one to step up in somebody’s chest if there was ever any squirmish/altercations.
Certainly earned his rings!
The NBA could actually use more Haslems not less. One per 15 slots would do it.