Miami Heat: Hassan Whiteside Needs To Be Featured More In 2016-17

Taking a look at why Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside should be the focal point of the offense and featured more next season

With the unexpected departure of Miami Heat franchise player Dwyane Wade in free agency, and the additional losses of two key veterans in Luol Deng and Joe Johnson – plus, the uncertainty of Chris Bosh’s availability because of his revolving health issues over the last two years – only one conclusion can be drawn.

Hassan Whiteside needs to be featured for.

The Face Of The Franchise

As mentioned above, Miami has suffered key veteran losses and has significant health concerns to their all-star caliber player Chris Bosh; who Pat Riley called an X-factor to this up-and-coming season.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

That said, there’s four years and 98 million other reasons why it’s time for Hassan Whiteside to be featured more as the face of the franchise.

Here’s a recap of What Pat Riley recently said; the organization as a whole and being on one accord, regarding Whiteside.

"[via Sun-Sentinel]“We were very fortunate to get him. We saw enough over the last two years to say he is a very unique talent and player. “We feel like he’s worth the investment. You’ve all seen him play. We believe he’s an essential part of our team.“He anchors our defense, will improve on offense and gain more confidence. We agreed as an organization on this decision."

Base on his big and lengthy contract, his upside, untapped potential and the severity surrounding the Miami Heat franchise overall, Miami has no other choice but to be all-in with Hassan Whiteside – in the end, making him the face of the franchise.

Whiteside Can Be Dominant Inside

In 73 games played, Hassan Whiteside started 43 of those contests while only averaging 29 mins per game.

Look at the numbers he posted this past season: he averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 60 percent from the field and 65 percent from the free throw line (all career highs).

You Can Play Through Him

An inside-outside game with Whiteside could finally come to fruition. Of course, he would have to work on his much to be desired passing out of double teams in the low post area, down to the left or right blocks.

Important to note: In 2014, Whiteside had a total of six assists. In 2015, he accumulated 29 assists. He’s trending in the right direction; you can be assured that head coach Erik Spoelstra will work on improving that number in 2016.

However, Whiteside could then kick out to shooters or reposition himself in the low post; while calling for the ball again to score or attempt to hit cutters going to the basket as well.

Whiteside started ascending upwards towards mid-to-late season in a positive direction; hitting his free-throws at a more efficient rate, while displaying a nice touch on his 15-foot to 18-foot jumper.

Feed The Beast

With more touches, starts and a higher volume of minutes played, and by taking a more focal, featured role in the offense, Whiteside would have the potential to carry last year’s momentum into this next season and be poised for an all-star caliber breakout year.

must read: Heat: Pat Riley Is Embracing The Youth Movement

Therefore, becoming an instrumental and vital piece to potentially, positioning; Miami for a playoff birth post-Dwayne Wade’s departure.

Home/Miami Heat