Hassan Whiteside’s missed time will help the Miami Heat determine if they can move on without him.
The Miami Heat have a way of things evening out.
We saw that when their 30-11 second half record left them at 41-41 last season. Now their new cause of symmetry is a 10-10 record with Hassan Whiteside off of the court.
On the surface, that sounds like there really is no difference if Miami’s big man is in or out of the lineup. But is that accurate for the Heat?
If you ask anyone within the organization, the obvious answer is they are a better team with Whiteside around. Miami’s actions have not said the same though. And it has shown in many ways: like the back and forth in the media about Whiteside and head coach Erik Spoelstra’s communication. Or the dilemma that has the center having a hard time qualifying for certain statistical categories, because his coaches’ late game benching robs him of time and possessions.
These circumstances even open Whiteside up to a weird bit of history.
With all of that said, let us not overlook that a lot of Whiteside’s actions are what put him in this predicament. In turn, an argument can be made for the Heat being a better team when he is absent from the floor.
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Saturday night’s rout of the Washington Wizards went a long way in proving that—if you believe the game was more than an exhausted opponent on a back-to-back.
For starters, fans can take into account the Heat also played better on Tuesday night, when Whiteside was on the bench during Miami’s own back-to-back outing. The reason being that the offense is more fluid without him.
Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk do not go out with the offensive intentions of solely scoring. Adebayo knows the majority of his buckets will come from rebounds and alley-oops. Olynyk, on the other hand, can spread the floor as a 3-point threat. Add that they are both willing passers, which only makes screens and cutters more dangerous.
The result is two players less likely to pout and become lackadaisical when they do not have an opportunity to put the ball in the basket.
Whiteside out of the lineup not only fits the league’s small ball mentality, but also kills the crunch of trying to play all three bigs in a game. Furthermore, not having to play them together goes a long way in allowing Spoelstra to keep the rest of the rotation with their more efficient pairs.
Statistics wise, the Heat score more points with Whiteside on the court. However, they give up more as well. The same goes for their effective field goal percentage and assisted field goals, versus both amounts given up. Turning the ball over more with Whiteside present, but causing more turnovers when he is not is also a noted problem.
Surprised that someone who can get a triple-double with blocks could actually bring the defense down?
Whiteside’s on-ball defense has always left something to be desired. Just take a look at how he continuously makes Robin Lopez look like Hakeem Olajuwon.
At times, he becomes somewhat of a liability that Adebayo is not, due to his ability to hold his ground against plenty of big men while stay in front wings.
Next: A complete offensive effort propels Heat past Wizards
The consensus is not quite no Whiteside, no problem. However Monday night versus the Portland Trail Blazers could go a long way in how opinions sway.