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Udonis Haslem: Super happy optimistic guy...?

Miami Heat v Dallas Mavericks - Game Three

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 05: Mario Chalmers #15 and Udonis Haslem #40 (R) of the Miami Heat react against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of Game Three of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center on June 5, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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Udonis Haslem is not a pleasant dude to talk to. I’m sure to friends and family he’s a right cuddly teddy bear. But to media, his reaction to most everything falls between dull boredom and outright disgust. It’s like if Oscar the Grouch could kill you. Pretty much that. But apparently he’s got a pretty optimistic look at the lockout. Versus LaMarcus Aldridge, who is pretty much the most dour sourpuss in the landscape, Haslem thinks the lockout will get solved and has faith in the system. From NBC Miami:

Speaking of basketball, what about the NBA lockout? Is there any hope?

I think so. I am confident that both sides are working to reach an agreement. Players are going to stick together. I am sure the way the season ended last year on such a high note with revenue going up and TV ratings through the roof, the story is already written for next season -- for the Heat, especially. All those guys have to do is sit back and let the season take care of itself. Hopefully everything works out.


via Udonis Haslem Opens Up About the NBA Lockout | NBC Miami.

That’s right. Mr. Scowl is all “Don’t worry, be happy.” He’s rocking the Matthew McConaughey “everything’s going to be fine, brother.” He’s a chill bro, essentially. Haslem goes on to talk about how Heat fans should expect a fun season and how much he thinks the team is on the right track. The guy is a ray of sunshine. I half expected him to hug the interviewer when he finished.

One other interesting side note:

Was it hard to hear so much criticism against the Heat last season, even though you made it to the finals?

At first it was, but it was only because growing up, you are taught teamwork, hard work, sacrifices and those are things as a team we implemented into our season for one common goal: to win a championship. We got close, but still for some reason, we were outcasts.


via Udonis Haslem Opens Up About the NBA Lockout | NBC Miami.

That shows a lot about what the outlook is like inside the Heat. They don’t see themselves as lazy spoiled stars who expect everything to be handed to them. You know, the way everyone else looks at them. They’re just basketball players who put in a lot of work trying to win a championship, in Haslem’s case, working to recover from injury. They didn’t share the same experience the rest of the world did. It must have been pretty weird to wake up, work hard, get home, and realize everyone hates them everywhere. Odd.