Udonis Haslem is as Miami as it gets. After playing four seasons with the University of Florida, the powerful forward remained in the state to play in the city where he was born.
Haslem spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Miami Heat developing into one of the team’s leaders and most recognisable faces. Over that stretch, he went on to win three NBA championships (2006, 2012, 2013) alongside some of the greats like LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade. Haslem also remains the all-time leading rebounder in the franchise’s history with 5,791 total rebounds.
For all his hard work and dedication, the organization retired his no. 40 jersey in 2024. That was a decision that former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce seemed to take a shot at earlier this year questioning whether it was earned. The rivalry between the Miami Heat and the Celtics was at an all-time high during Haslem’s playing days. Pierce and Haslem were two of the most vocal players about the fiery exchanges between the two teams and that feud now seems to have returned.
In a recent episode of the OG podcast, Haslem once again addressed the Celtics rivalry and Pierce, a player he would refuse to call out by name.
“Everybody knows how I feel about the Celtics,” said Haslem.
“Somebody gonna get hurt.” 😳
– Udonis Haslem on Paul Pierce
(🎥 @theOGsShow / https://t.co/tj7lNeCbq8) pic.twitter.com/DROdJNJhkr
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 6, 2024
Haslem went on to say he wasn’t going to say the players name he had issues with before Jeff Teague jumped in to say “Paul Piece? I’ll say his name.”
“Somebody gonna get hurt,” added Haslem as the conversation continued. On this occasion he chose to take the high road stating that he was going to avoid discussing the issue.
“I’m gonna spare you because I know you ain’t like that,” added Haslem.
The longstanding feud between these two outspoken NBA stars just will not go away. For now, Haslem seems to have had the last word.
