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Miami Heat: 3 reasons Hassan Whiteside deserves a starting job over Bam

By Priscilla Elliott Morganfield

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 10: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Boston Celtics during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 10, 2019 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 - JANUARY 10: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Boston Celtics during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 10, 2019 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) /
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MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 08: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 8, 2019 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 – JANUARY 08: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 8, 2019 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) /

The Miami Heat are now 21-22 after losing to the Detroit Pistons last night, they are treading water as a potential playoff team in the Eastern conference and they have a few roster questions they have to answer before locking up a playoff seed.

Alright Miami Heat fans, we’re officially at the halfway point of this 2018-2019 NBA season. Currently sitting at 21-22, the Heat are probably exactly where their diehard fans figured they would be: not too good but also not too bad.

The Heat were hanging on to a 6th place slot in the Eastern standings, but with the Brooklyn Nets playing out of their minds, the 7th seed will have to do for now. The inconsistency of this franchise is frustrating to no end, one day we’re beating the #1 ranked Milwaukee Bucks by 7, and another day we lose by 24 to the Atlanta Hawks. Seriously.

Rotations have been switched around more than a few times as head coach Erik Spoelstra figures out what does and doesn’t work for the team, and questions have been asked about some players starting over others. One of the most talked about is Bam Adebayo starting at center instead of Hassan Whiteside.

Should Bam be starting over Whiteside? My short answer is no, but here’s 3 reasons why.

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Reason no. 1 – Go with the Money

If you ask most people that know anything about sports, it’s preferred to go with the person who’s making more money. The reason why is simple. If he’s making more, then he has to be worth more, and worth in this case turns to winning basketball games.

In July of 2016, Whiteside signed his 4-year $98 million contract which averages to about $24 million a season. Adebayo is currently in his second year of his rookie contract of almost $9 million, averaging a little under $3 million a season (which is obviously a steal for the big man).

Whiteside is being paid significantly more so he should stay in his current starting position. Is he worth $98 million? That’s a different question for a different day. But my personal, short answer on that one is also yes.

Reason no. 2 should sit with you a bit easier.

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