Haslem missed practice on Tuesday due to soreness in his left foot, the same foot that was operated on in November to repair ligament damage.
When the co-captian went down 13 games into the season, there seemed to be a sense of optimism amongst his teammates and fans that Haslem would make it back in time for the playoffs. It's starting to look like that was just wishful thinking.
"I'm not getting coy about it," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "None of us know at this point. Until he's able to go full speed, running, cutting, side to side and contact work and how his foot responds to that, we won't know. He's still a ways from that."
Haslem is perseverance personified. Many gave him the benefit of the doubt due to his unquestioned work ethic and sheer passion for not only the game, but the Heat organization as well. You better believe that nothing hurts him more than watching his teammates from the bench.
But with only four games left until the playoffs, Haslem's chances of getting a couple of games under his belt before the rigors of a best of seven series begin are all but over.
And even if Haslem manages to get healthy enough to play, is it really in his best interest to do so? Better yet, is it in Spoelstra's best interest to let him play?
Looks like once again Spoelstra is in a no win situation. If he doesn't play him due to concerns of re-injury, fans will ask "Why isn't Udonis playing?". If he does play him and he gets injured, it becomes "Why was Udonis ever out on the court?".
Haslem will not be 100 percent this year. Throughout the season many said that a Haslem at just half strength would be better than almost every option on the Heat's bench. I once too felt this way. But now I'm not so sure.
I'm not sure it's wise to risk permanently injuring a guy who has been such a vital and beloved member of the Heat Franchise for eight years. I find it hard to believe that a 50 percent Udonis Haslem is going to make or break the Heat's chances at a title.
Hopefully Haslem proves me wrong.
Who knows, maybe the Heat are just playing the manipulation game. Maybe he's a lot closer to returning than Spoelstra is giving off.
Either way, right now Haslem has to be looked at as nothing more than a bonus if he returns.
"We're focused with what we have," guard Dwyane Wade said. "The biggest thing for him is to get healthy. With that injury, you can't rush it and we don't want him to rush it at all."
And if he does return, his brothers will be there waiting.
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