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Miami Heat 1-on-1: Can the team turn things around still?

By Allana Tachauer

Miami Heat guards Tyler Johnson and Dwayne Wade at the bench during a time out in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Heat guards Tyler Johnson and Dwayne Wade at the bench during a time out in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 25: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on November 25, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 25: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on November 25, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Finally, is Hassan Whiteside actually problematic to this roster?

Tachauer: He only is, if the team continues to make him so. Look, Whiteside had a not-so-great 2017-18 run. But then, he bounced back. Not just by putting up better numbers either, but also when it comes to his attitude too. Is he still frustrated about Miami’s losses? Absolutely. Any guy who wants his team to succeed, would be. This is something fans should want to see from a max contract player. And does he want to play more minutes? Of course. Rightly so too, especially when the Heat clearly need more offensive power. Maybe he doesn’t necessarily possess the versatility that Spoelstra wishes to see, but if the team would just let him thrive in a traditional center role, he could get back to consistently dominating for them.

Johnson: I’m going to ride for Whiteside as long as he’s in the league. Coaches always say “You can’t teach tall,” and when Whiteside is at his best he’s near unstoppable. The problem is that he is not getting the chance to play in a system that establishes him as the first, or even second option, offensively. Granted, Whiteside isn’t the most diverse center in the league, but he can rack up 20-20 games with ease, and Miami should abuse that ability. Benching him to let Adebayo play is fine, but Miami needs to admit that the Whiteside experiment didn’t end as intended and let him walk. Or, incorporate him as the offensive leader that he should be and define a style of play that maximizes his potential. Not to mention, Miami has a horrible track record with using traditional centers in the last decade. Eddy Curry? Greg Oden? Joel “The Warden” Anthony… The Heat know what kind of ball they want to play, and Whiteside doesn’t fit that model at all.

Next. Miami Heat: What will change when Dion Waiters returns?. dark

Only time will tell what happens to this Miami Heat roster.

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