Turning up the Heat: Is Miami’s Whiteside in or out?

What does Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside‘s future hold?

Hassan Whiteside has been quite the personality since re-introducing himself to basketball prominence in 2015. Whether it be the 2K ratings, a larger-than-life fish tank or the outlandishly comical Snapchat stories, No. 21 has provided Heat fans with several laughs and frowns.

His latest fiasco came immediately following the Miami Heat loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. I can recall those comments as if I were there reporting them myself.

“Bulls***,” is what he labeled his lack of minutes down the stretch and even went as far as the question his future with the Heat; an organization that recently bumped his pay salary from the veteran’s minimum to a maximum four-year, $98 million deal.

Being blunt is not typically within my nature, but in regards to this topic, I feel it is a tone that is needed. Whiteside is not the typical go-to scorer down the stretch. While he averages 14.1 points on the season, he still lacks a go-to move in the post and has yet to prove himself in crunch time.

I don’t care what his resume says and I’m mindful of the fact that he’s overcome a fair share of adversity throughout his collegiate and professional career. However, it’s time for him to make a change, and departing the Heat at this time would be unwise on Whiteside’s part.

Under the tutelage of president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra, Whiteside has risen from a virtual nobody to an All-Defense and All-Star caliber player, following a failed initial stint with the Sacramento Kings.

And he has the nerve to complain?

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I get it, and I understand that watching your team falter down the stretch is a frustrating feeling when you feel you weren’t given the opportunity to assist. But as far as No. 21 is concerned, the post-game rants must come to an end.

As he approaches 29 years-of-age, maturity is one of his largest enemies.

Not to say he’s completely immature, but when it pertains to the lack of late game situations that he is apart of, he must learn to control his temper in that regard. Harboring negative feelings towards the franchise you are currently stationed with will lead to nothing but issues for both sides down the line.

I would not be saying this had it been an isolated incident. That, in essence, is the major problem: it’s not. This type of behavior has regularly clouded Whiteside’s abilities on the court. During his first half-season with the Heat, he was ejected multiple times and was suspended for attempting to tackle Alex Len like a NFL linebacker.

During the 2016 NBA Playoffs, he was infamously quoted for entitling Miami’s first round series against the Charlotte Hornets, the “flop-offs.” Those are the head scratching incidents that leave you speechless with Whiteside.

Then there are the moments when he’ll score 20+ points while grabbing 20+ rebounds and blocking three or more shots, as opposing defenses appear powerless to stop him. Those are the moments fans in South Florida long for, but they’re beginning to appear with alarmingly less frequency.

Injuries have played a part, but physical ailments play no part in the mental maturity of a professional basketball player. Coaching staffs don’t either.

Next: The Miami Heat need to move on from Hassan Whiteside

For Whiteside to take that next step in his evolution, it will require as much (if not more) work off the court, as it will on it, for that to come to fruition. Luckily for him, he’s still got plenty of time.