Former Heat center reveals unsettling drill orchestrated by Pat Riley

In a recent episode of The OGs podcast featuring Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, former Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside recounted his initial meeting with Riley in 2014, when he was striving to establish his place on the team. What ensued was a workout that Whiteside characterized as not only the most intense of his life but also the most unusual.

Miami Heat president Pat Riley is renowned for his emotional approach to the game of basketball. Hassan Whiteside's recent account may stand out the most among the myriad of legendary anecdotes surrounding Riley.

"Pat Riley personally came out on the court and conducted my workout," Whiteside said, still expressing disbelief a decade later. "It was the hardest workout of my life! Literally. Even to this day."

Picture this: Riley, the quintessential figure, confidently walking onto the court dressed in a suit, his hair impeccably styled, and his collared shirt pristine. No athletic attire, just the sheer intensity that defines Riley.

"I'm literally at the point I'm going to black out before I stop this workout," Whiteside confessed, recalling how Riley had him doing full-court dunks over and over. But that wasn't the weird part.

"He was like, 'Lick your hand and touch as high as you can on the backboard," Whiteside said. "I'm licking my hand, touching the backboard, licking my hand — I'm like, I'm getting all kinds of germs from this backboard. But listen, we got to get it. Hmmm. Is that hand-licking ritual also how Riley keeps his hair so perfectly slicked back? Just putting it out there."

Miller and Haslem, both ex-players of the Miami Heat and experienced veterans of Riley's methods, promptly stepped forward to elucidate the significance of the situation. It transcended a mere workout; it served as a challenge to both mental and physical resilience.

"One thing about Coach Riley, man, he just wanted to see if he could break you," Miller said.

"He knew the talent was there. He just wanted to see you mentally," added Haslem.

Despite the challenges and obstacles he faced, Whiteside successfully met the requirements of the evaluation. The Miami Heat secured his contract that season, and he promptly dispelled any skepticism, transforming from a G League athlete into a formidable presence in the NBA.

However, his achievements in Miami were short-lived. He was unable to replicate that level of success, and two years following his trade to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019, he announced his retirement.

Even after a decade, the recollection of the exhilarating, hand-licking, full-court dunking session remains clear — a reflection of Riley's distinctive influence on the culture of the Miami Heat.