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Miami Heat Roundtable: Let’s talk about preseason play

By Allana Tachauer

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the second half of a preseason NBA game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the second half of a preseason NBA game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the second half of a preseason NBA game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the second half of a preseason NBA game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

In today’s AllUCanHeat Roundtable, the staff discusses what they’ve noticed from Miami Heat preseason play so far.

Which player impressed you most during the Miami Heat’s preseason run?

Chase Eyrich (@ceyrich): Hassan Whiteside – As someone who has been irritated by Whiteside’s play, he looks how he should right now. No one has ever questioned his talent. He has the potential to be one of the most dominate players on the court overnight. Miami’s pick-and-roll is unstoppable with him. The issue has been if he was motivated and engaged every night. So far we have seen an engaged Whiteside.

Ivan Mora (@moraivan): I never thought I’d say this but it has been Whiteside. I’m glad he is shutting everyone up, including me. The unfair and added pressure on him was absolutely necessary considering his contract though. He is Miami’s franchise player and cornerstone and needs to love up to that expectation. After a rough year, he has the perfect opportunity to bounce back. He seemed more aggressive in these first two games, and has been attacking the boards more too; he doesn’t wait for the perfect opportunity, instead attacks the post. Something that frustrated fans, was how much he hesitated on every play. He always insisted he was limited on his shot selection and approach, but now after a busy offseason and multiple workouts, he has a second chance at redemption. And if the preseason is any indication, he seems ready to take advantage. Let’s just hope he pulls through.

Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonNBA): The NBA is a league that revels in its superstars but tosses aside the unworthy. Last season, Whiteside was unworthy. But in this preseason run, he’s shown incredible growth, establishing himself as an evolved contributor, capable of doing the dirty work (setting good screens, rebounding) while adding a dash of pizzazz to his game (that full court Euro-step was the stuff of legend). Whiteside is back, and it feels so good to say so.

Rahmeaun Rahming (@Boneman9000): I know the obvious answer here is Whiteside, but here’s a different take. To be honest, he absolutely needs to have a bounce back year, after the season he had last year. Whiteside is leading the team in usage which shows that head coach Erik Spoelstra is making a concerted effort to get him the ball more often, and in positions where he can do something with it. He’s still very error prone, e.g. traveling after turning in the post with a wide-open basket in front of him, then arguing the call, or double dribbling with both hands in the post (terminating his dribble) and still going up with it, even though Cody Zeller was clearly lurking in the paint as a help defender. While I’m impressed with his ability to go coast to coast for a euro step layup and his ability to take and make 3’s, I don’t know if that’s going to translate to the regular season.

Jack Leniart (@Leniart_ND): I was really impressed by Whiteside in the first couple of preseason games. He finished with two double-doubles. Given the way he was trending last season, some fans were concerned that he would never come close to matching the value of his max contract. However, Whiteside is off to an auspicious start this preseason, and, if he can consistently play at a high level, he could be an All-Star this season.

Rich Nurse (@followthepen): So far, I have been most impressed by the play of Whiteside. To come back and average 17 points and 14 rebounds in the first two preseason games after looking horrible and disengaged last season, is a testament to his health and hard work put in over the summer. Especially when Heat players still continue to miss him on passes.

Lauren Gewirtz (@laurengewirtz): The player that impressed me the most was Whiteside, because he was doing all of the things that so many fans called him out for not doing last season. He had a double-double in the first two preseason games, and seems to be exactly where he needs to be, while being more aggressive at the rim.

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