Udonis Haslem losing sleep over losses in final season

Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem sent his teammates something of a wake-up call amid the team’s disappointing season.

The Heat entered play Thursday with a record of 33-30, an underwhelming mark for a team which saw itself as an Eastern Conference contender coming into the campaign. Haslem, playing his final NBA season, indicated that the losses were tearing him up inside.

“Nobody likes to lose. I’m losing sleep at night, you know what I mean,” three-time champion Haslem told Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “This is not the way I wanted my last year to go.”

Haslem's words carry all the more weight due to his seniority and the respect he holds as he plays out his 20th and final NBA season. More of an in-house coach than a player at this point, perhaps his motivational message will land with his teammates. It had better if the Heat want any shot of late-season redemption.