How Hassan Whiteside’s comments were a Miami Heat wake-up call

Hassan Whiteside and the Miami Heat continue to make clear that they’re about winning games.

If it’s any consolation, the Miami Heat and Hassan Whiteside are doing exactly what they should.

Good families fight. Members say stupid things, and problems get resolved. When Whiteside spoke his mind on his limited playing time, he said it in a bad way and at a poor time.

Days later, Whiteside has made clear he is regretful in his word choice, and seemingly committed to a positive relationship with Miami moving forward. Problem solved, right?

"“Yeah, because I could have handled it different,” Whiteside said of his comments. “But I got so caught up in wanting to get that win. I get real competitive. I really want to be out there. But I just trust coach’s decision.”"

Ok, the story is deeper than that, but the sentiment stands.

Whiteside has spent the season following head coach Erik Spoelstra’s game plan to a T. The results are evident by the win column: Miami’s not a perfect team, but they are a playoff team.

Speaking out has given the Heat the chance to address the elephant in the room, and at a good juncture. Entering the playoffs is inherently stressful, so ironing out these personnel problems before the post-season is important.

Whiteside’s outburst is key but not just for impending contractual reasons. Yes, the talk of the town shifts to his future with the organization, but there’s more at stake.

This situation could be looked at as just a hot-head blowing steam or the end of Whiteside in South Florida, however, things aren’t always so black and white.

So let’s take a look at the deeper narrative here.