It's not a super-sized contract offer, but it's better than nothing.
While the NBA world focuses on Dwyane Wade's pending free agency, the Miami Heat are pulling double duty trying to persuade Udonis Haslem to give them a home team discount.
A huge surprise birthday bash is a good start.
The Heat captain and do-it-all power forward was caught off guard Wednesday when Bernie the mascot, Heat dancers and about 100 fans threw Haslem a party at his Southwest ranches home. The team draped Haslem's gate with "We Want U Back" banners and each fan held a sign saying the same.
"I never knew so many people cared," Haslem told the Sun-Sentinel. "In my 30 years, this is the best birthday I have ever had.
The newly-anointed 30-year old can become a free agent on July 1 like his more coveted teammate, Wade. He was paid $7.1 million last year.
Sure, it's more likely that Haslem would be chauffeuring Flash to the free agent summit instead of participating with the likes of LeBron James and Chris Bosh, but many true Heat fans view Haslem as an equally important part of the team.
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Since signing with the team as an undrafted free agent, Haslem has been the heart and soul of the team. Undersized, but never out hustled, Haslem has averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds during his career, along with providing solid defense on bigger centers.
And not even Wade has been more clutch in the clutch. Haslem is often the player taking - and making - the last-second shot off of a D-Wade drive to the basket.
And nobody chews a mouthpiece quite like U.
It's unclear how much Haslem will command in the free agent free market, but the Heat appear to know he's worth at least a towering birthday cake.
