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Udonis Haslem was part of the Miami Heat team that featured LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh that went to four NBA Finals. “U.D.” was one of the leaders of that team who kept everyone on their toes.
In an episode of “The Pivot Podcast,” Haslem narrated a never-before-heard story of James working behind the scenes:
(56:00 mark)
“I seen this man [James] work on a move for one damn practice, for 10 minutes. And the man used the damn move against the Knicks in the first or second round. The man used the damn move on the Knicks about 10 times like he had been doing it his whole life.
“And it was boom! … Ain’t nobody stopping that man. At the end of the day, you can sit there and be like, ‘I can try to contain’ or whatever you wanna try to do but you ain’t gonna stop him."
The series Haslem was referring to was against the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2012 postseason. LeBron James and the Heat came off an embarrassing collapse against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals.
James, who’s known to be obsessed with improving himself and winning, must have been raring to test something new against the Knicks in that series. It may have been a first-round matchup but it was one of the highlights of the 2012 postseason.
Miami was the overwhelming favorite because of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Udonis Haslem and Mario Chalmers completed Erik Spoelstra's starting unit.
The Knicks had prime Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Baron Davis and Amar’e Stoudemire.
James and Anthony going after each other on both ends of the floor was the battle fans appreciated watching.
Miami dispatched New York in five games behind LeBron James, who averaged 27.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.2 steals. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 27.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals.
Udonis Haslem disagreed with Mario Chalmers that LeBron James didn’t have the same fear factor on opponents as Michael Jordan did
A few weeks ago, Mario Chalmers created quite a stir when he said that opponents didn’t fear LeBron James the way Michael Jordan was feared. Udonis Haslem wanted to believe his and James’ former teammate must have meant something else or he’s disagreeing to the comments:
(50:35 mark)
"I think what Mario [Chalmers] might have been saying was that MJ [Jordan] is a little more savage. MJ is not a nice guy. Bron [James] might be a more nicer guy. It had nothing to do with basketball because on the basketball court everybody knew Bron gonna go to work.
"You can’t stop Bron. I’m thinking just the overall attitude of the player. I don’t think he’s talking the skill set and going against this guy. At the end of the day, ain’t nobody can do nothin’ with Bron. … You definitely losing sleep the night before you play Bron."
Udonis Haslem hasn't played with LeBron James for nearly a decade already. However, he wouldn't take any disrespect thrown at "King James," particularly from someone they've played with before.
You may also like to read: “‘Damn I gotta go play against Bron tonight’” - Mario Chalmers believes Michael Jordan incited more fear than LeBron James does
