Are the Miami Heat just not utilizing Hassan Whiteside correctly?

What’s really going on with Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside?

So far this postseason, Hassan Whiteside has played an average of 13.3 minutes per game for the Miami Heat. Compare that to 29.1 minutes during the team’s 2016 playoff run and well, it’s clear something’s not right.

The question is, who’s to blame?

It’s been a rocky year for the center. Having played just 54 regular season games due to injury, he finished averaging 14.0 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks a contest, in 25.3 minutes of play. Not exactly the numbers fans expected, after he averaged 17.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 32.6 minutes, in 2016-17.

It hasn’t been just about numbers, either. Many have started to question Whiteside’s dedication to the the team, commenting on his negative body language and low energy during games. As well as taking issue with his rants to the media.

In fact, much of Heat Nation is calling for their big man to be traded this summer.

Now Whiteside certainly has his faults. Having come into the league with a chip on his shoulder after going overlooked for so long, it’s easy to see he hasn’t completely shaken off that mindset. And sure, he can be immature, especially for a 28-year-old. Nevermind that he still has areas to improve in his game, like having a more aggressive presence on the floor, period.

But there’s another side to all of this; it can’t be ignored that Whiteside simply isn’t being utilized in the way he once was. Especially against the Philadelphia 76ers.

"“It’s just different, man,” said Whiteside after Miami’s Game 3 loss. ” I feel like our offense is a lot different. I’m not as involved in as many dribble handoffs as I was and post-ups as I was in the regular season.”"

And he’s not wrong.

Instead of counting on him as a scorer (however minimal), the Heat have essentially given him one job: set screens and keep it moving. Head-scratching at best, considering they gave him a maximum contract last summer. And oh yeah, he’s a 7-footer with the physical ability to bully just about anyone in the paint.

Whiteside hasn’t just had his minutes limited lately, but his touches as well.

"“I want to get more rebounds out there. I want to get more minutes out there.”"

Perhaps more chances to score, too?

The center’s game will never match that of say teammate Kelly Olynk, who can get hot from beyond-the-arc in a blink of an eye. He may never be as athletic as Bam Adebayo either, who sometimes runs the floor quicker than many guards.

But No. 21 does have a valuable set of skills. That is, if he’s used correctly.

Whether head coach Erik Spoelstra is changing things up based on a specific offensive plan or he’s simply had enough of Whiteside’s disinterested demeanor is anyone’s guess. However, he did have this to say on Thursday night:

"“[Whiteside] might not necessarily put up the numbers, but it’s part of my job to figure it out and figure out how he can get to his strengths and be an impact player for us. It starts with the defense, the rebounding. He has a lot of responsibilities for us offensively. I’ll spend some time working that out in the next day in a half.”"

Saturday should be interesting.

Next: Miami Heat: Embiid returned but it was Justise Winslow who put on a show

The Miami Heat look for a Game 4 win at home, on April 21.