The Miami Heat are in the news again but “The Decision” related to this incident was made by police and involved handcuffs and a mugshot. 
Heat player Udonis Haslem was busted yesterday and charged with possession of marijuana after being pulled over by the police in Miami-Dade County.
The 30-year-old forward who is a native of South Florida has spent the past seven years with the Heat and was allegedly speeding before the police made the arrest.
After approaching the car, the trooper is said to have smelled smoke and we assume it wasn’t the kind created by a cigar or Marlboro Menthol.
Maybe Haslem was out celebrating his new five-year extension he signed with the Heat a few weeks ago. Regardless, according to documents, Haslem was booked and charged with a third-degree felony for having more than 20 grams of pot. The max sentence for a charge like this in Florida is said to five years behind bars and a $5,000 fine.
Just for good measure the cops threw in a speeding ticket and a charge for too dark of window tint. Just for good measure we’re making him a member of our Jocks Behind Bars.
Recently, Heats exec Pat Riley went on line for Haslem saying “He is our anchor, he is a true warrior and a great professional.” Occasionally, a stoned anchor as well?
Too bad he couldn’t have bribed the cop with his 2006 NBA Championship ring.
NOTE: When the Udonis Haslem mugshot becomes available, we will post it in this article.
Used with permission of the author.
Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.
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