While this offseason may have excited Miami Heat fans by way of re-signing Dion Waiters and drafting Bam Adebayo, they should also expect big things from Hassan Whiteside come 2017-18.
Miami Heat big man Hassan Whiteside had a monster 2016-17 season.
Having averaged 17.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game in 32.6 minutes of play, the 28-year-old finished the year as the league’s leading rebounder per game. He became the organization’s first player to record both 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a single season. Joined Bill Laimbeer as the only player in NBA history to post a 30-point, 20-rebound game in 27 minutes or less. Recorded a record 57 double-digit rebound games.
Really, the center did a little bit of everything.
Sort of makes one’s head spin, no?
But the best part is, Whiteside is poised to have an even better 2017-18 campaign with the Heat.
For starters, he is gunning for a spot on the All-Star team.
Truth be told, he already deserved a nod last year. However, due to both the team’s rocky start and too much competition in the backcourt, the North Carolina-native went overlooked. But this upcoming season, it will be his time to shine. And not just because the Eastern Conference is suddenly a whole lot weaker either.
Whiteside no longer feels the need to prove himself, instead able to fully focus on his game. Miami as a unit has already had a year to build up their chemistry, allowing them to jump right into things. Success for both the star individually and the roster as a whole took time last year, something that hopefully will not be the case this time around.
There is also the fact that young fella is looking to add to his arsenal.
With already having dominated the field in both blocks and rebounds, he now has his eye on steals.
"“I don’t know what they’re going to need,” Whiteside said, referring to the Heat. “They might need more steals. I’m definitely going to get another shot-blocking one. [The 2017-18 NBA Rebounding Champion trophy] in my room right now. I’m gonna give him a twin.”"
And it seems like after five years in the league, he is also going to start shooting 3’s.
"“I might shoot a three every once and while… I just want to shoot enough to where you’ve actually got to guard it. Even 3’s, I can shoot 3’s.”"
An enormous change, seeing as Whiteside as yet to shoot a single 3-pointer during his time in the looked this summer.
Imagine the big man’s stat line if he consistently started letting them fly from beyond-the-arc.
Ooh wee.
Next: 3 Miami Heat players who can make the 2017-18 All-Star Game
The Miami Heat have positioned themselves to have quite a second run with last season’s unit, and best believe Hassan Whiteside will be headlining that success story.