Hassan Whiteside as a starter changes things for the Miami Heat

Hassan Whiteside was reinserted in the Miami Heat’s starting lineup Sunday, but can he play consistently enough to stay there?

Erik Spoelstra moved Hassan Whiteside to the bench after the All-Star break, and even though the move was not viewed as permanent, the center was thriving in that role and so were the Miami Heat.

Whiteside, who had been coming off the bench for about two months, with veteran Amar’e Stoudemire starting games, hasn’t exactly made his wish to return as a starter a secret. He’s mentioned before that it is an adjustment, adding on here and there that he will do what the coaches ask. Not to say that this has been a point of contention–it didn’t seem to be–but it certainly seemed like there was some sort of timetable in place for Spoelstra to reinsert Whiteside in the starting five.

It happened on Sunday, in Miami’s regular season home finale against the Orlando Magic. It was just one game after the Heat (47-33) lost to the Magic in Orlando, a game in which Magic center Nikola Vucevic scored 29 points.

According to the Miami Herald, Whiteside didn’t know he would be starting until about two hours before tipoff Sunday. Whiteside finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks in 28 minutes in an easy win over the Magic.

Whiteside is capable of dominance, there is no doubt about that, but it’s imposing his skills consistently that is the next hurdle for the young center. It’s consistency that Spoelstra wants from his starters.

"“We need a higher level from Hassan and I thought that time is right now,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “This basketball team needs him at his best level, his most aggressive level, his most consistent level, his most reliable level, his most dominant, physical level.“He responded in the right way. But now the challenge will be to do it again.”"

In the time Whiteside has been coming off the bench, you can see improvements in his overall game. He’s learned to become a better screener, perhaps by watching Stoudemire deliver masterful picks as starter, and has become a more willing passer. Not to mention he’s improved his free throw shooting rate to a respectable 65 percent. Those attributes will be key in Whiteside’s starting role, where it’s more than just blocking shots and dunking. He needs to constently fit within the scheme of the team on both ends of the court. With that, the sky is the limit for the Heat as they approach the Eastern Conference playoffs.

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Josh McRoberts getting involved

With Whiteside moving into the starting lineup, it was Josh McRoberts and not Stoudemire who took over second-string center duties.

McRoberts played 20 minutes off the bench and finished with six points, four rebounds and five assists. He shot just one-for-six, but was a plus-four in the game.

With McRoberts involved, the second unit with Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson did a nice job moving the ball. It’s an athletic group with a ton of ball handler and one that can throw opponents for a loop with some change of pace.

Meanwhile, Stoudemire sat out the game due to a coach’s decision. It’ll be interesting to see how Spoelstra works the reserve center position, whether he’ll trust McRoberts or Stoudemire more come playoff time.