Miami Heat: What to make of center Hassan Whiteside

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside has been the biggest question mark for the team this season.

The 2018-19 Miami Heat have had fans questioning a lot of things.

Should Dion Waiters have been re-signed?

(This remains to be determined.)

Will Justise Winslow make the leap?

(I think last night’s performance against the Toronto Raptors confirms he did.)

Does head coach Erik Spoelstra have his rotations under control?

(Unfortunately, this still seems to be a no.)

But perhaps the greatest mystery of all so far this season, has been Hassan Whiteside.

Coming off of a lackluster 2017-18 run, fans assumed one of two things would happen, going into a new year. Either the center would bounce back in a major way, proving everyone wrong, or history would repeat itself, leaving room for Bam Adebayo to step in as the team’s starting big man.

Instead, a strange combination of the two has occurred.

Currently averaging 13.3 points, 13.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks a game in 26.6 minutes of play, the 29-year-old has had some great showings this season.

He balled out on December 2 in a win over the Utah Jazz, recording 23 points on a very efficient 11-of-17 shooting from the field, alongside 20 rebounds and three blocks.

Similarly, he went to work on November 7 in a victory against the San Antonio Spurs, totaling 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting, 20 rebounds, and a whopping nine blocks.

However, he has also almost completely disappeared on other occasions.

On November 25 in a loss to the Raptors, Whiteside managed just two points, five rebounds, two assists and one block, going 1-for-5 from the field. And because of his struggle to make a major impact, he saw only 12 minutes of playing time that day.

So what gives?

Well, for starters, the Heat have been going through countless rotational combinations since day one; something that isn’t always the easiest thing for guys to adjust to. And while there’s an argument to be made for Spoelstra playing it by ear based on the competition, there’s also no doubt that his ever-changing lineups have taken a toll on No. 21.

Then there’s Miami’s beloved positionless basketball system, which doesn’t exactly bode well for a  so-called traditional center like Whiteside. Although he’s certainly gotten better at being more of a ball-handler and playmaker, it’s by no means his bread and butter. So can the big fella take it coast-to-coast? Absolutely. He did so last night. But at least for now, that’s not his game.

Now whether or not you want Whiteside to remain in South Florida long-term, is an endless debate you can have on #HeatTwitter.

(Just not with me, because you know I’ll probably be drinking that Kool-Aid forever.)

The truth of the matter is, short of desperately needing to solve his free throw woes, the 7-footer is doing exactly what he’s supposed to be: trying to be a menace on both sides of the court for the Heat.

(And as for taking care of those airballs at the charity stripe? He’s actively trying to get back to his 70 percent shooter status, by going back to his original routine.)

Which means that at this point, only time will tell what his future holds.

For now, Miami Heat fans should just enjoy having Hassan Whiteside on their side.