Miami Heat leadership reacts to Hassan Whiteside’s ejection
By Wes Goldberg
It’s clear that the Miami Heat leaders are disappointed with Hassan Whiteside.
The Miami Heat unraveled in the final 10 minutes of its game against the San Antonio Spurs. Even though it didn’t start with him (Beno Udrih had a bad foul on a 3-pointer) Hassan Whiteside’s ejection after throwing an elbow at Spurs center Boban Marjanovic marked the lack of mental stability that did Miami in.
It’s not the first incident of Whiteside’s career in which he let his emotions get the better of him on the court and, with his status on the team still in question, it didn’t help secure his standing within the organization.
The Miami Heat players and coaches spoke to the media about it after the game.
Spo on Whiteside: "We've been through this with him before. It's a disappointing play. That's not a basketball play."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 10, 2016
Whiteside seemingly disagreed with the call. He tried talking to the referee about it, and shook his head as he walked into the locker room after getting ejected.
Erik Spoelstra on what Hassan Whiteside was disputing when he got called for the flagrant: "I don't know."
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) February 10, 2016
Wade on Whiteside's flagrant: "He has to deal with that. It's on him."
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) February 10, 2016
Whiteside has done this before, and he’s been with the team for a year now. He’s 26 years old. Basically, this is inexcusable.
Wade says of Whiteside there's only so long "you can hold somebody's hand and walk them through it." Hopes HW turns it around.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) February 10, 2016
Wade tries to offer some perspective in favor of his teammate. It’s not untrue.
Wade on Whiteside: "He's been pretty good to this point. He just had a lapse in judgement."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) February 10, 2016
Whiteside is apparently quiet in the locker room, so it’s not always clear if he is buying in or what he’s actually thinking.
Wade on Whiteside: "Sometimes we don't know what he's thinking."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 10, 2016
Wade also made clear that team still supports Whiteside.
Wade added that the team still supports Whiteside and is optimistic about him getting it together. Bosh also says he trusts him.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) February 10, 2016
Like Wade, Bosh also mentions that Whiteside has been better at restraining himself this season. Still, as Bosh points out, that’s not something that an adult deserves a cookie for.
Bosh says Whiteside's done well restraining himself, "but we’re adults" and adults don't get patted on the back for controlling themselves.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) February 10, 2016