Spoelstra, Haslem share Heat memories of LeBron James: ‘LeBron was dialed into everything’
It has been nearly nine full years since LeBron James left the Miami Heat in 2014 free agency after spending four seasons with the organization, but the memories from that time are still vivid for those who coached him and played with him during that time.
Udonis Haslem is the only player on the current Heat roster who was also with the team during James’ time in Miami. Haslem credits James for teaching him a valuable lesson that has helped allow him to still be in the NBA at 42 years old.
“I learned from ‘Bron years ago, the first thing I noticed was the way he takes care of his body and the weight room and things like that,” Haslem said. “I’ve been able to implement some of that. There’s no way I’m able to still be out here running and jumping and keeping up with these guys at 42 if I didn’t take care of my body in a certain way. So that was definitely something I took out of Bron’s book.”
Those habits have also allowed James to continue playing at an elite level with the Los Angeles Lakers in his 20th NBA season. James, who turned 38 on Friday, is averaging 29 points on 51 percent shooting from the field, 8.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game this season.
James was not available for Wednesday night’s game against the Heat at Crypto.com Arena because of a non-COVID illness.
“He was already into the commitment to all the hours and time outside of the building,” Erik Spoelstra recalls from his time as James’ head coach from 2010-14. “That meant his nutrition, working out, getting sleep, basically everything that people have learned now.
“I think young players coming in just have a much better foundation and understanding of how to take care of their bodies. I think you’ll see this next generation of players play for a long period of time, and I think LeBron was probably on the forefront of that kind of education and investing a lot of time and money and resources into whatever he had to do to stay on top of his game physically.”
Spoelstra is in his 15th season as the Heat’s head coach. Both of his championships at the helm came with James on the roster in 2012 and 2013.
Spoelstra remembers what set James apart behind the scenes. When young players come to the Heat and ask Spoelstra about James’ routine, he gives a very detailed answer.
“LeBron was dialed into everything,” Spoelstra said. “Always one of the first in the building, never late for anything – a meeting, an airplane. I think it was almost an OCD that he had to be early just to go through his mental preparation. And his locker was pristine. Does that matter? I don’t know. We think it does. We kind of obsess about that about keeping your workspace clean. It shouldn’t look like a garbage [can] or have shoes all over the place and clothes and all the gifts and knickknacks that all the players accumulate over the course of a long season.
“The first time I saw him in the locker room, he was folding up his clothes and putting it perfectly in a pile and then he didn’t want anybody else’s stuff spilling over into his work space. So those are some of the minor details. How you do anything is how you do everything and he’s a perfect example of that.”
Those memories of playing with and coaching James remain. But Haslem says he doesn’t think about those championship seasons in 2012 and 2013 much these days.
“I’m still focused on the opportunities of adding more and winning more,” said Haslem, who will retire at the end of this season. “So I don’t really think about those much. One day, I’ll reflect on those. But right now, I still have an opportunity to add more.”
