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3 Miami Heat players perfect for Team USA Basketball

By Brandon Johnson

MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Josh Richardson #0, Hassan Whiteside #21, and Justice Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 9, 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 - FEBRUARY 9: Josh Richardson #0, Hassan Whiteside #21, and Justice Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 9, 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) /

Hassan Whiteside

Really?

Hassan Whiteside, the player who posed Miami the most on and off-court trouble this season would be a good fit? The player who had team president Pat Riley saying “he has a lot of work to do” should have gotten a Team USA nod?

Absolutely.

Ambassadorship is a huge aspect of representing Team USA. Competition rarely falls stateside, and players are expected to represent their country with composure.

In that respect, Whiteside definitely fits the bill.

After getting selected with the No. 33 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and before his big Miami break, Whiteside hooped internationally. He played in both Lebanon and China, unfortunately never making so much as a peep as far as international relations are concerned.

His international career is soon slated to continue too, with the commencement of the NBA’s Africa Game taking place just around the corner.

Despite butting heads with Joel Embiid (who is set to represent Team Africa) during the regular season, Whiteside will have to play against him once more, as a member of Team World.

Being able to keep his composure against his seemingly biggest NBA rival is a challenge enough for Whiteside, one that is only sure to be amplified by the international stage.

Therefore, joining Team USA then would ultimately be easy fare for Miami’s starting center.

On the other hand, it would also help instill some more added discipline in the 29-year-old, who recently found himself mouthing off to the media regarding his frustration over playing time. There would be no room for such antics in the Olympic Games, something Whiteside would have to quickly figure out on his own.

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