Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was at the peak of his powers during his time with the Miami Heat. As soon as James joined the Heat, the team instantly became title contenders. James also teamed up with Heat legend Udonis Haslem, winning two championships together with the Heat.
Recently on his podcast Udonis Haslem was joined by his former Miami Heat teammates Greg Oden and Mike Miller. Haslem recounted an incident on the podcast where LeBron James and the entire Miami Heat team visited a strip club during their second championship year.
Haslem mentioned that the team went to Tootsie’s Cabaret, a popular strip club in the city, during Christmas. UD further stated that this was a moment where the entire team was trying to bond in order to win a third consecutive championship.
We were one of the more highly televised teams in the NBA, so there was a lot going on. We just needed a little team bonding. … As a team, being on TV every day, being the most scrutinized team every single day, taking on the LeBron James effect every single day, that got to be a lot for us as a team.
Udonis Haslem said via The OGs Show
Haslem pointed out that the team had been under pressure and surrounded by the media since James joined the team. He further stated that the team needed time to relax and recuperate after two successful years.
Udonis Haslem says the 2013 Heat players had a Christmas Party at a str*p club:
“We just needed a little team bonding… As a team, being on TV every day, being the most scrutinized team every single day, taking on the LeBron James effect every single day— that got to be a lot… pic.twitter.com/Q5svVPR9Yu
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 18, 2024
The Heat were aiming for a three-peat during the 2013-14 season. But they eventually lost in the finals to the San Antonio Spurs who dominated the Heat throughout the series. After the finals loss James decided to make his departure from Miami and again join the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron James made the Miami Heat championship contenders
After the Miami Heat won the NBA championship in 2006, they instantly lost their championship core. Their top star Dwyane Wade got injured, and other important stars like Shaquille O’Neal (left in 2008) and Gary Payton (retired in 2007) left the team.
After this, the Heat faced a championship drought with Wade being the only star in the team. But in 2010, the Heat made one of the biggest moves in their franchise and signed LeBron James and Chris Bosh. With the addition of James to the roster, Miami instantly became title contenders. But the team also faced a lot of criticism from the media and were always on the microscope of analyst.
Despite the Heat facing criticism, James played one of the best basketball seen in NBA history highlighted by him winning the MVP award. But the Heat lost the finals in 2010-11 season to the Mavericks. This just fueled the fire in James who came stronger the next season and was almost unstoppable.
James further went on to win two NBA championship with the Heat and was the best player on the championship-winning team despite having Bosh and Wade as teammates. In Miami, James solidified his legacy as one of the all-time greats. He further also changed the media narrative of him being a playoffs choker.
