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Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra praised the growth of center Hassan Whiteside, confirming he will head into the 2018-19 season as the team's starting center, according to the Five Reasons Sports Network.
Spoelstra called Whiteside a key player in Miami's equation, one he intends to let flourish throughout the course of the season.
“I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to continue to grow this relationship,” said Spoelstra. “He’s in terrific shape. More importantly, I think his mindset has grown.”
Whiteside notoriously had problems with Spoelstra and Heat management as the big man saw his role of starter fluctuate throughout the year after coming back from nagging injuries.
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The 7-footer even took his concerns to the media at the end of the postseason, saying he would address his issues with management soon enough.
Team president Pat Riley didn't hesitate to back coach Spoelstra in his decision to limit his playing time, noting Whiteside was not ready for a bigger bulk of minutes and clearly out of playing shape to make an impact. Centers Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo got the vast majority of playing time in the playoffs, which had irked Whiteside enough to speak out to the media.
The Heat lost their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 and were effectively bounced off playoff contention, something Whiteside linked to his lack of floor time.
Riley consequently spoke with Whiteside and Spoelstra in a three-hour closed-door meeting, ironing out all the issues surrounding their impasse. As it seems, all the issues have been erased completely, as president, coach, and player are all willing to start anew.
