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Miami Heat: 4 takeaways from the team’s first preseason game

By Allana Tachauer

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 1: Josh Richardson
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 1: Josh Richardson /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 1: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat and Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks battle for the opening tip-off at the start of the preseason game on October 1, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 1: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat and Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks battle for the opening tip-off at the start of the preseason game on October 1, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Hassan Whiteside Isn’t Perfect

Although the Heat as a whole are under constant scrutiny, Hassan Whiteside gets as much criticism as anyone on the team.

Despite the fact that he averaged 17.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game last year, making him one of the league’s top big men.

He should always be doing more offensively. Going harder defensively. Playing smarter overall.

And Sunday night surely had a large part of Heat Nation saying just that.

The 28-year-old recorded 8 points, 11 rebounds and 1 block in 19 minutes. Not necessarily an ugly stat-line, but not exactly mind-blowing either. And reaction to his performance went beyond just numbers. Whiteside seemingly lacked energy, was disengaged and let his frustration get the best of him (cue the five personal fouls).

Sound familiar?

Maybe just a little.

But that’s ok. Because the center can’t be expected to have a perfect game, night-in and night-out. And it doesn’t mean Whiteside isn’t putting in the work. Nor does it reflect that he doesn’t care.

After all, partner-in-crime Dragic finished the afternoon with just 6 points and 3 assists in 14 minutes. That doesn’t take away from the EuroBasket gold medal he earned with the Slovenian national team this summer. Or make him any less of an elite point guard.

It’s preseason. The first preseason game, at that. A game that came on the tail-end of a whirlwind week filled with media day and training camp.

Next: The end of an era, and the start of a new one at All U Can Heat

Miami Heat Basketball is officially back. And while Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks probably won’t be remembered come next April, it certainly helped Heat Nation get a sense of what they can expect in 2017-18.

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