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Miami Heat 1-on-1: Is 2017-18 indicative of Hassan Whiteside’s future?

By Jack Leniart

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 3: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media after the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 3, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 3: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media after the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 3, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat stands on the court against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat stands on the court against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

So what do you expect of Whiteside moving forward?

Leniart: I don’t really know what to expect from Whiteside moving forward. I think most fans share that uncertainty. Time will tell what trajectory his career takes moving forward.

If he can stay healthy for a full season, I think he can put up better numbers than he did last year – even in a slightly reduced role. I don’t think his future production will ever match up to his price tag, and that’s something the staff and fans will have to accept.

Whiteside will play an important role on this team. He’s a rim-protector on a defensive-minded team and provides a boost in rebounding. He will be challenged for playing time next season and could lose his starting role if he can’t remain focussed.

Tachauer: Personally, I really do think Whiteside will bounce back from last season and prove all of his doubters wrong (fingers crossed, anyways).

Obviously, the majority of his impending success will rely on him being able to stay healthy, but beyond that, he’ll need to adjust his attitude if he wants any chance to win back the trust of the organization and the love of Heat Nation.

He seems to already be turning things around though, between keeping in close contact with Spoelstra and getting back to the grind in the gym. So as long as he stays focused on continuing to develop his game and improving his behavior (as opposed to letting haters get the best of him), he should be just fine.

Here’s to 2018-19 being Whiteside’s for the taking.

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