Haslem: Wade and I are ready to be successful leaders of different teams
Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade have spent their entire NBA careers together on the Miami Heat.
After 13 years and three championships in South Beach, the pair has been separated, with Wade going to the Windy City to join his hometown Chicago Bulls.
Flash's departure still hasn't really sunk in for Haslem, who doesn't expect it to until training camp begins and his old friend isn't there.
"It's going to be strange," the 6-foot-8 power forward told reporters Tuesday. "It's going to be strange, and it probably won't hit until the first day when camp really starts."
Related: Haslem jokes he should've pulled a CP3 by handcuffing Wade
While Haslem isn't happy about losing his teammate, he appreciates the time he spent growing with Wade as basketball players and as people, with it culminating in them both being equipped to lead separate teams.
"We've prepared ourselves for this moment, everything that has led up to this point, that we've done together, that we've accomplished together, has prepared us to be successful with or without each other," the 36-year-old continued.
"He's strengthened my weaknesses, and I've strengthened his weaknesses. We're prepared as leaders to lead our different teams into a new era and be successful."
Related: Haslem set to take on even bigger leadership role with Heat
Miami's elder statesman will play against Wade for the first time on Nov. 10, when the Heat host the Bulls at American Airlines Arena.