{"id":678829,"date":"2026-05-18T15:14:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T15:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/678829\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T15:14:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T15:14:11","slug":"udonis-haslem-was-a-candid-nba-player-now-hes-bold-and-authentic-as-an-analyst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/678829\/","title":{"rendered":"Udonis Haslem was a candid NBA player. Now he\u2019s bold and authentic as an analyst"},"content":{"rendered":"

Udonis Haslem, if nothing else, has always been unapologetically candid. His outspoken, straightforward nature works well for television analysis.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s only one side of the man who played 20 seasons in the NBA, all with the Miami Heat. There\u2019s a genuine nature in Haslem, now an NBA analyst for Prime Video, that builds trust with individuals young and old. Very kind \u2014 but still unadulterated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been able to straddle that line of being authentic, being honest and being able to give constructive criticism without throwing guys under the bus and trying to embarrass guys,\u201d Haslem told The Athletic.<\/p>\n

His latest rant took place late Friday night following Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals pitting the San Antonio Spurs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the Wolves trailing by 33 with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, Anthony Edwards during a timeout walked to the Spurs\u2019 bench and shook hands with the coaching staff and players, one by one.<\/p>\n

It was considered an unorthodox move by some, as it viewed Edwards conceding to the Spurs, who ultimately defeated the Wolves 139-109<\/a> and advanced to the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Following the game, Haslem and his fellow analysts on the \u201cNBA on Prime\u201d show took offense to Edwards dapping up the competition with so much game time still remaining.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a leader, I would not have walked down there and shook their hands,\u201d Haslem said to the in-studio cast<\/a>. \u201cAs a leader of my troops and my guys, I would not have shown that weakness. The game is not over. I\u2019ve got eight minutes left. I still got smoke coming out my ears. \u2026 Let me calm down for those eight minutes since I\u2019m not in, and then after those eight minutes, I\u2019ll go down there, and I\u2019ll congratulate them and their coaching staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cIn the middle of the game, when I got guys that have sat on the bench and cheered me on (going into the game for garbage time)? No, I\u2019m gonna sit there and cheer those guys on. I\u2019m gonna put that energy back into those guys, and then, when the game is over, I\u2019ll go over there and shake their hand. That\u2019s just the way I handle things. I\u2019m a little bit different. I\u2019m a little bit old-school. I understand there\u2019s a different generation, but I don\u2019t think if they were beating San Antonio, Wemby (Victor Wembanyama) would have shook his hand with eight minutes left.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking his mind has never been a problem for Haslem, but there\u2019s a level of respect with the power forward-turned-broadcaster that comes with only a few individuals. He can say what\u2019s on his mind and still command the respect and admiration of his peers and mentees.<\/p>\n

It was partially for this reason that Haslem said former teammate Dwyane Wade suggested he try television after a lengthy NBA career. He is now finishing his first season with Prime Video and has previously worked for ESPN and NBA TV.<\/p>\n

The first-year show was an opportunity for Haslem to be a part of something new \u2014 to bring his authenticity to the public.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can still be that OG, that mentor-type guy,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I can still be an analyst and kind of tread in both of those lanes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout the 2026 NBA playoffs, Haslem has been someone basketball fans are paying attention to for everything from educated analysis to hot takes to funny moments with his \u201cNBA on Prime\u201d colleagues. He breaks down strategy and connects with current roster players alongside fellow analysts and former NBA All-Stars, including 13-year veteran Blake Griffin and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash.<\/p>\n

One memorable moment stretching from early March until early April further encapsulates Haslem. On the March 5 \u201cNBA on Prime\u201d show, Haslem criticized Los Angeles Lakers big Deandre Ayton, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, for having a \u201closer mentality\u201d<\/a> after his comments comparing him and Houston Rockets reserve Clint Capela<\/a>, who was once known for being a rim-running center with a high field goal percentage, but not considered as a primary offensive weapon.<\/p>\n

The following month, Ayton was a postgame guest of the show following a Lakers win.\u00a0Haslem immediately went from analyst to motivational speaker, offering words of encouragement<\/a> to Ayton almost in a big brother role. The two hadn\u2019t had many interactions before, but Ayton was willing to listen. And Haslem was happy to help.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll these relationships I have with these different guys \u2026 we\u2019re talking about different age groups, different eras,\u201d said Haslem, who turns 46 in a little less than three weeks. \u201cBut there\u2019s a mutual respect with all these guys, just because of the way I give respect.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s just a version of me that always wants to see other people succeed and do well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sports personality Jason Jackson, a media host and courtside reporter for the Heat, became friends during Haslem\u2019s tenure in the NBA. The two had honest conversations \u2014 discussing pros and cons \u2014 about Haslem stepping into broadcasting. Jackson said the Ayton interview blended who Haslem was as a player and who he\u2019s becoming as an analyst.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember when (Haslem) first spoke to me about the idea of broadcasting, and I just had not considered that for him,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cHe very much was trending, it felt like, toward coaching or evaluation at the very least. He basically was an extension of the coaching staff for half his career, so it just seemed natural.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Haslem tested the television waters, and he\u2019s been a solid fit with the Prime Video show hosted by Taylor Rooks. Haslem jokingly refers to Rooks as \u201cGladys Knight\u201d and the rest of the crew as \u201cThe Pips,\u201d as she first organized a group chat before the season in an effort to build chemistry.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n The \u201cNBA on Prime\u201d in-studio team feature host Taylor Rooks and analysts Udonis Haslem, Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. (Phillip Faraone \/ Getty Images for Prime Video)<\/p>\n

That camaraderie has helped Haslem build a new relationship with a former competitor he\u2019s seen at the highest level. He and Nowitzki competed against each other in two heated NBA Finals. The Heat knocked off Nowitzki\u2019s Dallas Mavericks in 2006, and the Mavs pulled off the upset of the favored Heat featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Haslem in 2011.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe and Dirk, we\u2019re the best of buddies,\u201d Haslem said. \u201cWe probably couldn\u2019t stand each other because we\u2019re so much alike. I say this all the time: We\u2019re the best of buddies, and we have to give credit to Taylor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Haslem and Nowitzki can talk about longevity in one city. They are two of the three players in NBA history to play 20 seasons with one team, the other being Kobe Bryant with the Lakers. Working with Haslem in television wasn\u2019t an issue with Nowitzki, but he originally admitted he \u201cdidn\u2019t know what to expect\u201d because of their basketball history.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, we had a long rivalry going and competed for a long, long time,\u201d Nowitzki said. \u201cBut it\u2019s been great getting to know him, working with him, being on the same team with him. He is a stand-up, honest guy. He always tells you how it is.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking back now, I think we would have gotten along great if we were on the same team, or if we had different paths and our paths would have crossed sooner. I love some of the stuff that he stands for, and it\u2019s been super fun getting to know him more, getting to work with him, the banter and, obviously, the trash talk. It has been a pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nowitzki said Haslem has \u201cstrong opinions\u201d that match his morals and values. Hours before the Timberwolves commentary Friday evening, Haslem offered his thoughts on words postgame from Donovan Mitchell after the Cleveland Cavaliers missed an opportunity to end their series against the Detroit Pistons by losing Game 6 at home.<\/p>\n

In a short diatribe, Haslem wanted Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson to give his players a different kind of lesson in accountability<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoach Atkinson needs to put some hot sauce in these boys\u2019 water bottles,\u201d Haslem said, a comment that received positive feedback from his Prime colleagues. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen a team come in with a chance to close out with less intent to finish. I\u2019ve never seen a team come in with a close-out opportunity with less focus, with less intensity.<\/p>\n

\u201cHell, Coach Atkinson needs to put some hot sauce in his water bottle, too. He ain\u2019t holding nobody accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

To Haslem, offering takes means providing fair critique. It\u2019s bigger than basketball in some cases. He is very good at going off script with an extended variety of pop culture discussions, ranging from his favorite cartoons to his love for professional wrestling.<\/p>\n

Haslem also is about having fun. He recently engaged with Indiana Pacers guard \u2014 and noted pro wrestling fan \u2014 Tyrese Haliburton, as they held a conversation about his top-five WWE stars<\/a>. The stare that Nash gave as he listened was meme-worthy.<\/p>\n

What allows Haslem to move the way he does is the appreciation he\u2019s earned as someone getting accolades out of the mud. As a pro, he was undrafted out of Florida and chose to play a year in France. From there, a 6-foot-7, 300-pound Haslem lost more than 50 pounds and returned to the United States, earning a spot with the Heat. In 20 seasons, he\u2019s been on teams that have been in the lottery and teams that won titles. He has three NBA championship rings from 2006, 2012 and 2013.<\/p>\n

The Heat retired Haslem\u2019s No. 40 jersey in January 2024. He was a key reserve as a rookie, then a starter for five seasons, then a key reserve again and finally a seldom-used reserve who still had the full respect of the locker room. That respect was evident as he was a team captain for his last 16 seasons \u2014 even though in those final eight seasons, he started a total of three games.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Udonis Haslem had his No. 40 Miami Heat jersey retired in January 2024. (Jasen Vinlove \/ USA Today)<\/p>\n

Haslem\u2019s career allowed him to see the evolution of players and their relationship with the media, which helped shape his approach to the game from a broadcaster\u2019s perspective. Haslem remembers entering the league in 2003 when older players weren\u2019t quick to extend olive branches to younger players, but with his toughness balancing out with his compassion to interact with players, he\u2019s learned to be a voice as a mentor for the generations after him.<\/p>\n

Haslem, additionally, is the Heat\u2019s vice president of basketball development. The role involves Haslem working side by side with players and coaches and also allows him \u2014 a Miami native with the nicknames \u201cMr. Miami\u201d and \u201cMr. 305\u201d \u2014 to still work in the Miami-Dade County community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m relatable to your stars, relatable to your role players, to your guys that don\u2019t get minutes. I\u2019m relatable to your assistant coaches,\u201d Haslem said. \u201cVery few guys can have a conversation with the front office, with the coaching staff, and then go down to a locker room and then be trusted there, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

To Jackson, the Ayton-Haslem interaction wasn\u2019t surprising. If anything, in addition to showing Haslem\u2019s nurturing side, Jackson called it a \u201cbattery-in-the-back conversation that we all got to watch in real time,\u201d something that happens routinely but happened to be caught on a national stream.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s probably had that conversation dozens, if not hundreds, of times in trying to lift his teammates throughout his years,\u201d Jackson said of Haslem. \u201cHe\u2019s just using that natural leadership, that natural message creation in his job now as a studio analyst.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always the way you approach people,\u201d Haslem added. \u201cI always approach these guys with a respectful manner and in a way that I want the best out of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he\u2019s not preparing for the Prime show, Haslem still likes to work out, and family time and staying connected with his South Florida community is important. Along with pro wrestling, he also enjoys animated series. Haslem is a fan of the Prime Video show \u201cInvincible\u201d and other shows that \u201cimmediately grab me from the jump and get straight to the point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haslem also watches church on television, as traveling often keeps him on the road on Sundays. Haslem said he prays five to 10 minutes nightly, which assists in clearing his mind in how to best do his job and stay true to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI pray I will remain compassionate, always wanting to be thoughtful and always wanting to be honest,\u201d Haslem said. \u201cWhen I talk about the things I\u2019m doing in this workspace, those are the things that I always want to make sure I live by. It\u2019s a long list of things that I\u2019m thankful for, and it\u2019s a long list of things that I talk to the Lord about.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut when I talk about work, those are the things that I talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the playoffs resume, Haslem will continue being someone who will not only entertain fans but also keep them on their toes. And he\u2019ll continue to be unabashed yet sincere with his efforts as an analyst.<\/p>\n

Jackson said it\u2019s not often to see someone who has the ability to entertain, inform and remain relatable like Haslem.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the right ingredients for a prolonged future in broadcasting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would love to spend nights around him if he can whittle it out of his time to come back to the crib and do some broadcasting with us from time to time. But that\u2019s jealousy speaking,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t have a limit. His limit is what his time and his businesses and his family cost, that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haslem added: \u201cEverybody respects my authenticity and understands I\u2019m going to call it one way. Whether it\u2019s with players, whether it\u2019s with coaches, whether it\u2019s with front offices, you\u2019re going to get the truth \u2014 and it\u2019s all once again coming from a good place.\u201d<\/p>\n