Udonis Haslem almost ready to return

Miami Heat big man Udonis Haslem should be back on the team's rotation by the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs. Haslem, who has been sidelined due to injury since November 20, will provide some much needed help inside the paint for the Heat.

If it were up to Haslem, he would already be on the floor for the Heat. Haslem has already started participating in full practice drills with the rest of the team, the final step before coming back to the active roster.

After participating in full practice sessions with the rest of the team over the weekend, Haslem sat out two practices due to soreness. Some started speculating Haslem return might be delayed , but Erik Spoelstra was quick to address the situation. Spoelstra said,

"It's normal. He goes hard one day, he's probably going to sit out the next day. We're being extremely judicious in how quickly we want to move forward. He had two solid workouts over the weekend so we sat him out"

The Heat are taking it easy with Haslem, not willing to put any pressure on their big man. When prompted for a time-table on Haslem's return to the Heat's roster, Coach Erik Spoelstra replied diplomatically,

"He's not there yet. I think he even knows that. But at least he can see a light at the end of the tunnel. When he can start doing consecutive days of significant work and bounce back the next day and feel OK, then we can probably have discussions. He's not there right now, and we're not going to push him."

Even without Haslem, the Heat are already off to a good start in the 2011 NBA playoffs, leading the series against the Philadelphia Sixers 2-0. By the time they are done with the Sixers, Haslem should be ready to make his return to the lineup.

The Heat will need Haslem's help in the second round, especially if they end up meeting the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have several big men to choose from on their roster, and will be a tough matchup for the Heat, with or without Haslem.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 15 years.

Sources:

Miami Herald," Return date uncertain for Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem "