The Heat defeated the Celtics to take a commanding series lead in the Eastern Conference finals, and Miami fans had some fun in the process.
Late in the fourth quarter, it was fairly obvious that the Heat were about to officially clinch an unpredictable 3-0 series lead against the Celtics. Some fans in the building were eager to see veteran big man Udonis Haslem.
Haslem, who is 42 years old and is currently the oldest player in the league, has confirmed this is his last professional season. He was greeted with a big standing ovation when he checked into the game for his final regular season game last month.
With a runaway lead in Game 3, Heat fans chant for Miami legend Udonis Haslem to get on the floor. pic.twitter.com/h3Uqt5miTG
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 22, 2023
Haslem has played in the 11th-most playoff games among all active players in the NBA. But he did not play during postseason runs for Miami in 2018, 2020, 2021 or 2022.
Haslem had not logged any playing time in a playoff game since 2016 but played just over two minutes during the postseason in 2023 thus far, briefly appearing during an opening-round win against Milwaukee.
Miami fans, however, want to see the center get some late-game action once more on Sunday. Loud chants for “We want Haslem!” were heard on the TV broadcast and captured on video by fans at the arena as well.
The ‘We Want Haslem’ chants have started in Miami 🗣
(🎥: @AlexMSolana)
pic.twitter.com/vK395se6QL— theScore (@theScore) May 22, 2023
Perhaps best of all, though, is that even Shaquille O’Neal joined the fun.
O’Neal was attending the game for the pregame show, halftime show, and postgame show on behalf of Inside the NBA on TNT. Earlier in the game, O’Neal was honored by the PA announcer and was welcomed by the crowd.
Shaq joining in on the “We Want Haslem” chants ❤️🥺
pic.twitter.com/DnaJR0YUw4— 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘃𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 (@HVTWpodcast) May 22, 2023
It was amazing to see O’Neal get hyped in the crowd for Haslem.
O’Neal and Haslem are former teammates and they started alongside each other in the frontcourt when Miami won the NBA championship against the Mavericks in 2006.
Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra did not end up putting Haslem in the game. But we can hope to see him on the court once again before he retires.
