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Udonis Haslem still ‘bumping and hitting guys’ as a Heat practicing executive
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- Udonis Haslem still ‘bumping and hitting guys’ as a Heat practicing executive
MIAMI — The Captain is still the de facto captain without having been The Captain for three seasons.
So, yes, that is Udonis Haslem in those social-media posts and videos circulating from the Heat's training camp and practices, still grinding alongside Bam Adebayo and now also grinding alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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A titled executive with a team and a breakout broadcaster who has been cited for his relatable commentary on NBA on Prime, Haslem is viewed far from being a novelty during the sessions.
"It's incredible that he still comes out on the court with these guys," coach Erik Spoelstras said, with the Heat idle until Wednesday night's exhibition against the Brooklyn Nets at Kaseya Center. "It just shows you his level of wanting to serve and be a mentor and just help. He's able to express that the best when he's out there bumping and hitting guys.
"That's his language. That's their language as well. We love having him around."
It is a mentorship with both the veterans and younger players.
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"He does so much just in terms of talking guys … over to the side and encouraging them, correcting them," Spoelstra said. "It's hard to teach that. He just has so much institutional knowledge of how we do things."
That, Spoelstra said, especially is meaningful with the team's newcomers.
"Of course he does it with the young guys," Spoelstra said. "but we love him doing it with the new guys that we've acquired. They're all vets. They're all over 30 years old."
With permission not required to join in.
"I told him when he transitioned into his (executive) role, I said, 'I know you're doing TV. That'll take up some of your schedule, but anytime you can come around, don't ask. You don't have to get approved of anything. We'd love to have you around,' " Spoelstra said.
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"He's able to find a balance. He loves being around the guys. He loves giving and serving and helping."
All of which has caught the eye of Antetokounmpo.
"He's great. He's honest," Antetokounmpo said. "Obviously, being around the organization for 20-plus years, he brings value to the team as a player and as a guy that can come in and coach us and give us advice.
"So far, I love it. He always comes to me and sits with me and tells me how he feels and what he thought about practice."
Now with Antetokounmpo playing beneath Haslem's No. 40 that hangs from the rafters at Kaseya Center.
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"Sometimes just that little interaction helps you," Antetokounmpo said of the Haslem boost. "It goes a long way. So I'm looking forward to getting to know him a little bit more."
Still out
Having labored in his return in Saturday's exhibition loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves before sitting out the finish, Pelle Larsson was away from the team Monday due to illness. Larsson also sat out last week's intrasquad benefit scrimmage due to illness.
"Pelle is still feeling under the weather," Spoelstra said.
Also remaining sidelined is guard Dru Smith, due to a calf strain sustained during training camp.
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"Drew is making a lot of progress, doing court work, but not the full practice," Spoelstra said.
Also on the mend is forward Keshad Johnson from his hamstring strain during training camp.
"KJ was able to go through the majority of practice," Spoelstra said of Monday's session.
Bench boost
Spoelstra said Nick Richards' 10-rebound, seven-point performance in Saturday night's exhibition was part of a solid preseason for the veteran center .
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"I like what he's been bringing," Spoelstra said, with the Heat with a decision due on Richards' season-long guarantee by their Oct. 21 regular-season opener. "And that's not only in the games when he's gotten his minutes, but in practice.
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"He's a very good rebounder. He can rebound in traffic. He can rebound above the crowd. He can rebound balls that are slightly out of his area."
But Spoelstra said adjustment also is required with Richards in the mix.
"He's a big big," Spoelstra said. "So he's good in pick-and-roll coverage for his size. We still have to shore some things up with that. But he provides something a little bit different than all the other bigs provide. I like what he's done."
