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Miami Heat: Top four moments from the team’s 2018

By Brandon Johnson

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat laughs during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat laughs during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 30: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat talks with head coach Erik Spoelstra against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at American Airlines Arena on December 30, 2018 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 30: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat talks with head coach Erik Spoelstra against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at American Airlines Arena on December 30, 2018 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Lunch goes a long way

Who would have thought that a little lunch would solve Miami’s beef with Hassan Whiteside?

Last year, Whiteside battled all manner of lower body injuries. He was held out of 28 games, often leaving the Heat floundering without their paint protector.

But even when he was on the court, Whiteside seemed to lack the spark indicative of a max contract player. His dunks weren’t emphatic, and his blocks weren’t forceful. The knee injuries were clearly taking a toll on him physically and mentally.

Thus, a symphony of calls to impeach Whiteside began. Heat fans, and the team itself, rolled around the idea of trading the center, freeing themselves of both his massive attitude and massive contract.

Given the nature of Whiteside’s position and contract, teams didn’t come calling. So, team president Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra leaned on their backup option of reconciling with the center.

Over lunch during the 2018 off-season, Spoelstra and Whiteside aired their grievances. The two sought out to rebuild their relationship, which came to a boiling point after Whiteside criticized his lack of playtime in the 2018 Playoffs. Whiteside played just 15.4 minutes per game in the series against the Philiadelphia 76ers.

"“We’ve gotten together for lunch, in constant contact on the phone and in texts,” Spoelstra said in July. “Like many things in this league, it’s not what it seems on the outside. It’s pretty normal NBA life. I’m looking forward to the start of the season with a healthy Hassan. I know he’s looking forward to that. And we still have a good part of the summer to get better.”"

Determined to make it work, Whiteside and Miami patched things up over the summer and since then, all signs point to a fruitful finish through his current contract. Though Whiteside’s averages (13 points, 12.8 boards in 26.4 minutes per game) haven’t reached the peaks of the 2016-17 season, he has already played in 30 games and posted a trifecta of 20-20 nights.

Having a man of Whiteside’s stature on your side comes in handy, especially as the Heat toy with the zone defense to snuff out their opponents’ and keeping him happy and healthy adds another piece to Miami’s depth.

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