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Miami Heat: Top players that have the most to prove next season

By John Jablonka

Dion Waiters (11), James Johnson (16) and Kelly Olynyk (9) (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Dion Waiters (11), James Johnson (16) and Kelly Olynyk (9) (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 3: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat reacts to a play during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 3, 2019 at American Airlines Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 3: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat reacts to a play during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 3, 2019 at American Airlines Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Hassan Whiteside

A leader in blocks.

A leader in rebounds.

Has the potential to be one of the top centers in the league.

To what?

The Miami Heat picked Hassan Whiteside from the bottom. He wasn’t even in the league when they picked him up. Where was he, you may ask? He was in the G-league after playing a combined 111 minutes in two seasons for the Sacramento Kings.

His first season was quite impressive as he averaged 11.8 points, 10 rebounds and 2.6 blocks on 62 percent shooting. It wasn’t until his second and third year with the Heat where he made the jump into playing like a star. He became the league’s blocking leader with a total of 269 blocks(he was one block shy of having more blocks than misses). The following year, he improved his scoring, improved his defense despite a drop in blocks per game, and his rebounding was league’s best at 14.1.

If we have a look at his advanced statistics, he is right up there too. In those two seasons, he ranked top five in defensive win shares and top 20 in win shares.

All signs pointed out that he was ready for the next step. Perhaps an All-NBA 3rd? Or All-NBA Defensive 1st? How about none of those things. What if I told you his averages would drop in points, rebounds, blocks, field goal percentage, and win shares for two consecutive years.

Since signing that long, not cheap extension, Whiteside fell off. As a result, he was unplayable in the playoffs, only seeing the court for a total of 77 minutes in five games. This season saw him ultimately get benched as he played more times off the bench than starting.

This past year, there are many reports that states the Heat would want to move him and I’m probably speaking for the majority of the Heat fans… we would want him gone for good.

His body language, his attitude, his work ethic doesn’t scream “I am an NBA player” or let alone a basketball player. But this is a big year for Whiteside, especially if he wants to remain in the league.

After picking up his player option, he will be heading into free agency next season, so this is his contract year. He needs to show Miami and the rest of the league that he still has that fire in him and is capable of being a top center in the league.

Next. How Tyler Herro and KZ Okpala fit with current roster and cap space. dark

Once upon a time, these players were the team’s top players. Now, unfortunately, they find themselves having to prove the doubters wrong and even fighting the coach for playing time. The only question is will they prove fans wrong?

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