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A first look at revamped Section 305 dedicated to Heat career of Udonis Haslem

One section at Miami-Dade Arena will never look the same. The section is on the 300 level — Section 305, to be exact.

The Heat will unveil the new-look “Section 305” on “UD Night” during Saturday night’s home game against the Brooklyn Nets, as the organization continues to celebrate Udonis Haslem’s NBA career with its “4 Days of 40” campaign that began Thursday and ends Sunday. Haslem, who has played a role on each of the Heat’s three championship teams in franchise history, will retire at the end of this season.

Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem.
Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem.

“Section 305” will be dedicated to Haslem, with 305 known as Miami’s area code and Haslem born and raised in Miami before spending his entire 20-year NBA career with his hometown Heat. The section located in a corner of the arena bowl is covered with photos of Haslem from different stages of his Heat career.

“The key thing here is that Section 305 is now going to be completely dedicated to Udonis Haslem,” Heat executive vice president and chief marketing officer Michael McCullough said. “What that’s going to mean in reality is when you walk into the building and you walk by Section 305, there’s going to be this incredible graphic display on the interior part of the arena, so the arena bowl will have this incredible visual display.”

Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem. This is a mural done by Miami-based artist Disem in the concourse just outside of the section.
Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem. This is a mural done by Miami-based artist Disem in the concourse just outside of the section.

That tribute continues in the concourse right outside of Section 305 with even more visuals of Haslem, including a mural done by Miami-based artist Disem.

“The visuals are stunning,” McCullough said. “They’re large and they really do capture Udonis kind of throughout the different stages of his career. But the thing that you’re going to notice really more than anything is just the impact that these graphics now have and how they transform this section to look different than any other place in the building.”

The Haslem-themed section will remain for non-Heat events at Miami-Dade Arena, as the new features are permanent. But McCullough added that individual game tickets for Section 305 will be hard to get because “that section is full of season ticket members.”

Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem. This photo is of the concourse immediately outside of the section.
Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem. This photo is of the concourse immediately outside of the section.

This week’s four-day celebration of Haslem’s NBA career comes to an end on Sunday, when a Miami Mashup edition of the 23rd annual Miami Heat Family Festival will feature Haslem-themed activations and experiences.

“It will be inescapable the love that this organization and this community has for Udonis and we want people to walk in and walk out really getting that message that this is such a unique occurrence in sports,” McCullough said. “A player has played his entire career with one team and that one team just happens to be in his hometown. It’s really just a phenomenal occurrence. He is such an interesting figure in our history, we really feel that this is just a great way to memorialize what he’s done in addition to what’s going to happen next year with his jersey retirement.”

Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem.
Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem.

Haslem, 42, is appreciative of it all. But with just two weeks left in the regular season and the Heat in the middle of a tight race to escape the play-in tournament, Haslem has made it clear his focus remains on basketball.

“I’m focused on the Heat right now,” Haslem said. “We’ve got an opportunity to continue our push at the end of the season. I have plenty of time to celebrate my situation and myself. Right now, we’re in the trenches. It’s a very critical time for us. That’s where the focus is.”

Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem. This photo is in the concourse just outside of the section
Section 305 at Miami-Dade Arena is now dedicated to Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem. This photo is in the concourse just outside of the section

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is focused on the present moment, too, but he won’t let this week’s tribute to Haslem pass without reflecting on what he represents to the organization and city. Haslem has been on the Heat’s roster for each of Spoelstra’s 15 seasons as the Heat’s head coach.

“It’s a great salute to our forever captain, our forever mentor, our forever leader,” Spoelstra said. “When you speak about the culture, you automatically think of Pat [Riley], Micky [Arison], [Alonzo Mourning], [Udonis Haslem]. When you try to explain our culture, you show highlights of UD, not only in games, but you find pictures of him on the practice court or mentoring when no one else is in the gym.

Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) is honored on the score board at the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Fl. on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) is honored on the score board at the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Fl. on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

“He’s everything to our franchise. We’re looking forward to him getting recognized. I haven’t known a locker room as a head coach without UD in it and I don’t want to start thinking about that yet.”

Section 305 of the arena Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) jerseys for fans before the start of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Fl. on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
Section 305 of the arena Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) jerseys for fans before the start of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Fl. on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

‘BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES’

The Heat’s roster included Bam Adebayo, Haslem and Dwyane Wade for two seasons. But it has been a while since Spoelstra had the opportunity to sit in the same room with all three of them after Wade retired at the end of the 2018-19 season.

Spoelstra got that opportunity following Wednesday’s home win over the New York Knicks, with Wade in attendance as he sat courtside. Adebayo, Haslem and Wade spent time after the game in Spoelstra’s office, and Spoelstra captured a selfie with them.

“Those are beautiful memories,” Spoelstra said of that moment. “We are in this game to compete for the ultimate prize but we’re also in this to develop those lifelong relationships. You have shared intense experiences together and then you hope to create great memories and this bond that will transcend just a game.

“That was that night, coming off a great win and the four of us piling in my office. We’re not talking about shots, touches. It’s just shooting the [bleep], laughing and joking and talking about our families. I treasure those kind of moments. It was really cool having Dwyane back in the building. I miss him. That picture was the epitome of Heat culture, Heat life — the past, the present all wrapped into one photo.”

INJURY REPORT

The Heat ruled out Jamal Cain (G League), Nikola Jovic (back spasms), Orlando Robinson (G League) and Cody Zeller (broken nose) for Saturday’s game.

The Nets will be without Seth Curry (personal reasons) and Ben Simmons (back) against the Heat.