Miami Heat: 3 questions from two weeks of free agency
Will 2018-19 be the year of Whiteside?
Hassan Whiteside has been the Heat player most prone to diehard support and low-key sneak disses. When he accepted his max deal in 2016, he stunted in his Snapchat story, cruising out of his hotel door while Will Smith’s “Miami” bumped in the background.
Two years later and he’s shooting 3’s in a balmy gymnasium, calling to question the coaching philosophy under which he plays.
"“You don’t know I got this jumper?” Whiteside flexed into the camera. “There’s a difference between you can’t shoot and you’re not allowed.”"
Whiteside’s jumper is a tad suspect. He drilled both triples he attempted through 54 games last year. However, his flat-footed release and slow gather makes it a skill best used sparringly.
The ups and downs of Whiteside’s relationship with Miami might finally be over. Reports surfaced that Spoelstra and Whiteside have been in contact since Miami’s first round playoff exit, a move that suggest both sides want this relationship to work.
The relationship working is certainly for the better. The current NBA market is shifting away from traditional centers like Whiteside. Even if he was the best player in the league, with his skill set teams would be hard pressed to find a perfect fit.
In fact, the majority of current players like Whiteside found long-term homes that built around their style of basketball. Marc Gasol on the Memphis Grizzlies, Andre Drummond with the Detroit Pistons and Steven Adams of the Thunder have all proven integral in their team’s brand of hoops.
Not to mention, if Whiteside should succeed anywhere it should be in Miami. From giving him the chance to rebuild his career, to leading the league in blocks per game in 2015-16, Miami’s been around every step of the way.
Through all of the speculation about Whiteside and his commitment however, one thing is clear: he’s yet to request a trade.
Despite being at the front of every hypothetical trade and dream scenario, Whiteside has kept to himself. And considering his willingness to hop on social media and air his frustrations, that Whiteside has left the team matters out of the media is showing tremendous growth on his part.
Whiteside is instrumental in Miami’s success. His rim protection is near-unmatched when he hits his stride and lobs are an easy deuce on the offensive end. Plus, his willingness to butt heads with talent like Joel Embiid helps give Miami an edge they desperately need.
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54 games is no way to find a rhythm and Miami needs his presence whenever possible. If Whiteside returns healthy and happy, Miami will be a forced to be reckoned with.