Udonis Haslem

Udonis Haslem Speaks On Shading Bill Russell

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Udonis Haslem used a recent podcast appearance to explain a story from Bam Adebayo about saying “F-ck Bill Russell” before a game against the Celtics. “I had to repent that. I love Bill. There’s no disrespect to Bill. I love Bill. He just caught that stray,” Haslem admitted. However, he went on to explain that it wasn’t a pointed comment. Instead, it was an off-handed remark as part of a large rallying cry about the Boston-Miami rivalry.

“Will you ever see a Miami Heat jersey in hanging the Boston rafters? Ever? In life? I wouldn’t give a f-ck if a Miami Heat player was on the basketball. Who’s that motherf-cker on the basketball? What’s his name? Jerry West. That motherf-cker played for the Heat, he would never hang in the rafters. He would never. They would never hang Jerry West’s Miami Heat jersey in the Boston rafters. Never in life. Respect to Bill Russell. I love him. Why the f-cker he got to hang in here?” Haslem explained.

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Bill Russell Rookie Card Sells For $660,000

Earlier this year, in an auction conducted by PWCC Marketplace, a 1957 Topps Bill Russell rookie card sold for $660,000. Not only does it break the record for a Bill Russell card, but it also becomes the third-highest-selling pre-1980s basketball card. The only cards to sell for more money are a 1961 Wilt Chamberlain rookie card ($670,000, June 2022) and a 1948 George Mikan card ($800,000, March 2022).

Russell’s memorabilia was a rarity until fairly recently. In 2021, he facilitated the auction of more than 700 items from his Hall of Fame career. Sold between December 2021 and April 2022, the auction’s total profits were in excess of $9 million. This included $1 million for a game-worn jersey from the series-clinching win of the 1969 Finals. The profits were sent to a number of Boston-area charities, including Russell’s own non-profit, Mentor. However, if the past is anything to go by, the current record will not stand for long. Especially after Russell’s death, the value of his memorabilia has spiked.

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Udonis Haslem To Be Honored By Miami Marlins

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After 20 seasons, three rings, and 879 games, Udonis Haslem announced his retirement from the NBA after the Heat fell to the Nuggets in the NBA Finals. A Heat lifer, Haslem spent all but one season of his career in South Beach. That one exception was the 2002-03 season, which he spent in France against going undrafted in 2002. However, he signed with his hometown Heat in 2003 and never looked back. He was a core piece of the team’s first championship in 2006. Additionally, he served as solid depth in the Big Three era that brought back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Haslem ended his career with a stat line of 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Of course, newer basketball fans might not think Haslem was anything special. After all, he didn’t play in more than 40 games in a season after the 2014/15 campaign. However, that’s because he eventually ascended the need for floor time. He became a deep bench contributor, veteran leader, team mascot, and informal coach like a true basketball renaissance man. However, Haslem is taking his talents back to South Beach in a special arrangement to be honored by the city’s MLB franchise, the Marlins.

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Marlins Announce September 7 As UD Night

The Marlins announced earlier this week that Haslem would be honored with a special night on September 7. Dubbed UD Night, the game will serve as yet another tribute from the city where Haslem was born, raised, and played. Additionally, Haslem will sign a one-day contract with the Marlins and throw the first pitch. The Marlins will be taking on the Dodgers in that night’s game. As mentioned in the club’s press release, Haslem attended high school less than a mile away from the Marlins’ ballpark.

“Udonis Haslem embodies the South Florida community. It is our honor to celebrate his many accomplishments on the court and in the surrounding neighborhoods of Miami with UD Night on September 7,” said Caroline O’Connor, Marlins President of Business Operations. “We could not think of a better way to recognize his commitment to the community than by supporting his newly launched foundation with a donation from every UD Night ticket.”

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