How the Miami Heat can build around Hassan Whiteside

Center of the defense

There’s no question that, when engaged, Whiteside’s rim protection is second-to-none. He finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and it seems that he’s going to get quite a few more cracks at the title in the future.

However, to do just that, it will require Whiteside to hone his talent on that end. To be a dominant defender, one can not just swat shots away and expect to claim that title. Many times last season, we saw Whiteside struggle to stay with players outside of the paint, something he himself even acknowledged, via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

"“I can’t come into the game trying to be one of the best defenders in the NBA and not being able to guard a guard,” he said. “I never felt like I was one of those 7-footers where I get on the perimeter and I just fall over. I feel like I can stay in front of a lot of guys.”"

Even head coach Erik Spoelstra volunteered to assist Whiteside, hosting several practice sessions throughout the season focused on helping the young center with such alignments.

To best help the team as a dominant shot-blocker, guards and forwards defending on the perimeter need just force their assignment inside, run them off the three-point line and make them drive in to the heart of the paint and let Whiteside clean up the rest.

Next: Maturity