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

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DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 18: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat smiles prior to a game against the Detroit Pistons on January 18, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Reason no. 2 – Experience Always Matters

Hassan Whiteside is in his seventh season in the NBA; Bam Adebayo is in his second. This isn’t saying that Bam isn’t a great asset for being only in his second year, but that Whiteside has more NBA time under his belt. He’s played with some of these same guys for years and it shows in the game.

Whiteside might not block every single shot or get every rebound, but he knows more about his opponents because he’s had more time playing with them. His basketball IQ is higher because of this experience.

Also, players get more respect and reputation in the NBA as time progresses and Whiteside’s reputation shows that he can and probably will block your shot if given the opportunity. With this in mind, some players don’t even go for certain shots around him. Bam hasn’t quite reached that level yet, but not for lack of trying.

Albeit, Bam is only 21-years-old and could potentially be one of the leagues best “true centers” in only a few years, but this Heat team needs to play their best talented assets, and Whiteside fills that role quite easily.

The third reason has to do with the more analytical side of this debate.

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