3 reasons to be excited for the Miami Heat’s 2018-19 season
Hassan Whiteside Is Back In The Gym
Despite Butler’s ability to be completely nonexistent on Minnesota’s bench in the Timberwolves first pre-season game, Hassan Whiteside doesn’t have the same luxury.
No amount of magic could fully dissolve Whiteside’s presence last season. Seven feet and 265 pounds of Marshall University alum is not so easily disguised, especially after earning a massive payout two years ago.
Every tantrum and lackadaisical foul he drew last season, was further amplified by the time Whiteside spent on the bench.
When he wasn’t out to one of his nagging and perfectly justifiable injuries, Whiteside played his usually plodding game at half speed. Lacking lateral quickness to recover on defense and the conditioning to combine long stretches of play, Whiteside was billed as a lost cause, as the Heat entered the offseason.
Regardless of whether his name was thrown into Butler trade talks, Whiteside’s presence at Miami’s training camp is slowly reversing the narrative on his athleticism and will to win.
Hassan Whiteside really came into camp in phenomenal shape. He was already strong, but he just looks massive and slender at same time. Needs to stay healthy and aggressive.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) September 29, 2018
Plenty of players get the “he’s in the best shape of his life” treatment at the end of the summer, but Whiteside is among the few for which that claim is true. He embraced working out on the beach this summer, a favorite pastime for, among others, 2008 NBA Champion Kevin Garnett.
Figuring out how much Whiteside will play, especially with Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk hot on his heels for a starting spot, is still suspended in the ether above the AmericanAirlines Arena.
Thankfully, his ability to keep pace with the team whenever he’s on the court will give Miami too many options this year.
And that’s a fantastic problem to have.