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Is Hassan Whiteside jeopardizing his Miami Heat future?

By Richard Nurse

Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) waits to enter the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 116-93. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) waits to enter the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 116-93. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will coasting eventually cost Hassan Whiteside his spot with the Miami Heat?

There are times in sports when numbers do not tell the entire story. For instance, when Hassan Whiteside’s average stat line reads 16.8 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. The impressive feat does not highlight the two point games or a track record of being regulated to the Miami Heat bench for his lack of energy.

Something that was not overlooked by Pat Riley during his impromptu 25 minute NBA trade deadline presser:

"“There are nights over there where I talk to myself under my breath and I say, `Get [Whiteside] out of there… Being accountable as a franchise player is an all-of-the-time thing and one of the most difficult things in this league to do as a great talent, where a franchise, a city and your teammates depend on you every night to bring to it. This is not saying that he doesn’t, but to bring that every single night, that in itself is a skill.”"

At the moment, Whiteside does not possess such a skill. His inability to bring effort on a nightly basis has poked out in games where he has been outplayed by the likes of Robin Lopez. Only to be compounded by instances of removing himself from blame when the team underachieves.

Feb 13, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the second half against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. The Magic won 116-107. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the second half against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. The Magic won 116-107. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

This is not a case of a player simply going through the motions after being blessed with a new $98 million contract either. Whiteside has been losing bouts with just going through the motions as far back as two years ago when he was barely making $770,000 for the season.

It would be quite unfair to paint Whiteside as merely a screw up when he has flashed the ability to give the Heat triple-doubles–with blocks–but which amount of effort should overshadow the other?

Next: Hassan Whiteside's act has grown tired

When he dominates the paint he resembles every bit of the franchise player that Riley spoke about. However, in his aloof state he becomes nothing more than a 7-foot trade asset. Because at the end of the day, Whiteside does not have the overall skill, age or clout to get away with coasting the way Dwyane Wade did at times.

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