A few days before the start of the season, the NBA.com general manager poll results were released. One of the questions was about who they think the best center in the league is, and surprisingly, none of them said it was Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside.

The 7-foot-center was not able to play to his potential during the early days of his career. He even spent time in the D-League and was a free agent working out at a YMCA gym before the Heat gave him a chance to get back to the NBA. Whiteside did not disappoint, made a good account of himself, and proved he belongs to play at the highest level.

Last season was a breakout year for him as the 27-year-old averaged a career-best 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. And over the summer, his hard work paid off as he was given the max contract by the Heat which he gladly accepted.

Article Continues Below
More Miami Heat News
Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena.
Heat’s Duncan Robinson makes $20 million contract decision amid trade rumorsZachary Weinberger ·
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum.
Bucks rumors: Will Milwaukee pursue trade for Andrew Wiggins?Julian Ojeda ·
Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game three for the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center
Heat brings Davion Mitchell back with $24 million contractJosue Pavon ·
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives past Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) in the second half at Madison Square Garden.
How Kasparas Jakucionis can contribute for the Heat right awayZachary Weinberger ·
Former Howard University and Temple University star Steve Settle III signs an Exhibit 10 deal with the Miami Heat.
Miami Heat sign former Howard University star to contractRandall Barnes ·
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives the ball against Tennessee Volunteers guard Chaz Lanier (2) during the first half at State Farm Center.
Kasparas Jakucionis’ ‘excited’ outlook on improving key traits with HeatZachary Weinberger ·

Speaking to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, Whiteside gave his thoughts on not receiving any vote on the poll and what he thinks of the other GM's in the league.

“I don't really care what those GMs say. 99 percent of them said no to me anyway, so I don't expect them to come back and say, ‘No, he's good,' after we said no.”

“If I listened to what everybody said about me, I would probably be in the YMCA still. I never got any just due in my career but I don't steer away from what I'm going to do with the Heat.”

With Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh no longer playing for the Heat, Whiteside is now the team's focal point on offense as well as their defensive anchor.

He certainly has a chance to eclipse his performance last season and produce even better numbers. And if he does, it will be very hard to imagine the GM's not casting a vote and not including him in the conversation for the best center in the NBA anymore.