Getty Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat wears a Black Lives Matter shirt before the start of a game against the Denver Nuggets on August 1, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem shared his unfiltered thoughts on Instagram on President Donald Trump and his followers on January 8. Following the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, and Friday’s news that Trump was skipping out on President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Haslem wasn’t happy.
Haslem shared a screenshot of a CNN article with the headline reading, “Trump will not attend Biden’s inauguration,” and shared his honest thoughts about the president breaking a tradition after “150 years.”
“Once again this guy makes history the wrong way. 150 years this tradition has not been broken. If you voted for this guy and you not judging yourself than you’re a bigger ass than him…”
InstagramUdonis Haslem shares his thought on President Donald Trump on his Instagram stories on January 8, 2021.
Only four other presidents have skipped their successors’ inauguration, People reported: Richard Nixon, who was already impeached and had resigned from office before Vice President Gerald Ford’s inauguration in 1974; John Adams in 1801; John Quincey Adams in 1829; and Andrew Johnson, who People notes was “the first American president to be impeached,” in 1869.
Haslem, 40, who’s now in his 18th NBA season, has a passion for consistency and loyalty. The three-time NBA Champion has spent the entirety of his time with one franchise: the Heat.
Haslem Says He Respects Teammate Meyers Leonard’s Decision Not to Kneel
GettyMeyers Leonard, right, and Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat bump fists after Leonard stood during the National Anthem before the start of a game.
While the Heat’s Meyers Leonard continues to stand during the national anthem, he was the only player to do so after the Capitol riot on January 6, a decision prime for criticism. Haslem, who’s a member of the National Basketball Players Association’s executive committee, said he respected Leonard’s decision.
“On the one hand, we’re saying, ‘We want you to see things from our perspective,’” Haslem said after Leonard stood during “The Star-Spangled Banner” back in August. “But by saying that, I also have to see things from his perspective. And I can see where he’s coming from.nowit
“His being out there with us, as our brother, it’s still showing strength, it’s still showing unity, it’s still showing that we’re coming together for a common cause,” Haslem continued. “People will question, ‘Why isn’t he doing it their way?’ Well, he’s standing by us. He’s supporting us. He’s with us.”
Despite Very Little Play Time, Haslem Remains a Beloved Rock in the Heat Locker Room
GettyUdonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against JaKarr Sampson #14 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half of a NBA basketball game at AdventHealth Arena on August 14, 2020.
Few other players have played with the same franchise for the entirety of their career. Aside from Dirk Nowitzki, only Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, John Stockton and Reggie Miller spent a minimum of 18 seasons with one team.
However, Haslem could soon join that elite dedicated squad of athletes, as the veteran has left the door open for extending his career past the 2020-2021 season. Even though he only played four games last season and has scored a total of 76 points in the past four seasons, Heat’s head coach Erik Spoelstra loves what he brings to the franchise.
“He’s just an incredible rock of stability and leadership and mentorship,” Spoelstra said during the 2019 NBA Finals. “That’s at all levels. It’s not just to our young players. It’s to our veteran players. And he provides just great guidance and mentorship to this head coach as well. I love him.”
Haslem remains the Heat’s all-time leading rebounder and is ranked No. 7 on the franchise’s career scoring list.
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