Hassan Whiteside
The Heat center led the league in rebounds per game last year and arguably should’ve made the All-Star team but due to the influx of stellar backcourt play, the center position was heavily overlooked by voters. But with the departure of a number of top-tier talent in the Eastern Conference, Whiteside should be the leading candidate to make his very first appearance this year.
Again, he’ll be in prime position to be one of the most dominant rebounders in the game. With improved scoring numbers and more consistently imposing play that everyone expects from Whiteside, he’ll be the most likely to make the team. Whiteside remains the focal point of the Heat’s offense and a decided matchup problem for opposing teams. Another step in his development will not only lead to more success in the win column but also more national notoriety for one of the game’s most athletic centers.
Much of Whiteside’s lack of All-Star appeal came due to the fact that the Heat found themselves near the bottom of the league in the standings. An appearance in the All-Star Game will undoubtedly signal Whiteside’s emergence as one of the elite young centers at the head of the position’s revival as well as a statement as the unequivocal leader of the Miami Heat.
As the Heat move into this next era, an All-Star caliber leap from Whiteside wouldn’t just benefit his own blossoming NBA career but would give the Heat the national boost they so desperately need as they look to cement themselves in the conversation for a championship.