Hassan Whiteside regresses
The big, $98 million question mark.
After putting up the best statistical season of his young career in 2015-16, the 26-year-old shot-blocking maestro cashed in big this summer with a maximum deal after his first short stint in free agency.
The only question: will he live up to that amount of dollar signs? Can Whiteside prove his worth and leave his troublesome past that plagued him for years behind?
Even with a season of experience under his belt, Whiteside somehow managed to get himself ejected and suspended last season for an intentional elbow he threw at Boban Marjanovic, eerily reminiscent of his tussle with Alex Len in 2015.
The Heat Twitter-sphere has been quite harsh on Whiteside since his emergence as a legit threat, most notably, his maturity or lack-thereof when the game doesn’t go his way. There have been several instances over the past year when one would look down the bench and see Whiteside clearly disengaged from the rest of his teammates. At times he looked disinterested, at others aggravated. If that were to continue in the near future, the seven-footer could plateau before stardom.
Next: The good and bad of Dion Waiters
The Heat are bolstered with youth and explosive potential, but are also hounded by lack of experience and leadership. How each player develops and reacts to new responsibilities will decide this season for the Heat.