Miami Heat star center Hassan Whiteside is letting his game do the talking this time around. The seven-foot big man has been making an impact outside of scoring, earning himself more minutes during the crucial moments of games.
Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald wrote a column on the Heat win last night over the Portland Trail Blazers, including head coach Erik Spoelstra's praises for Whiteside.
“[Whiteside] mentioned that he was just trying to do whatever he could to put his fingerprints on this win,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And down the stretch, that was a couple big contests to force some misses and a couple big rebounds. And even the offensive rebound. That’s winning basketball.”
Whiteside blocked six shots and secured 16 rebounds. The Heat have been much better with him on the floor this year, which is great for his fantasy value.
Last season, Whiteside and Spoelstra didn't really connect on the latter's decision to sit out the star big man during the fourth quarter. There were criticisms that Whiteside hasn't been as aggressive and active ever since he signed a four-year, $98M deal with the Heat. But his frustrations last season could have been a wake-up call this year.
Chiang summarizes how the big has been very valuable for the Heat in their first five games of the season.
More importantly, the Heat has been a better team with Whiteside on the court. Miami has outscored opponents by 48 points with the 7-footer playing. That’s a big improvement from last season, when the Heat was outscored by 79 points with Whiteside on the court.
Whiteside and the franchise will play at home against the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
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