Jan 27, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts after being fouled during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena. The Bucks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Heat
Record: 21-28
First Half Highlight: Hassan Whiteside’s triple-double vs Chicago; beating the Cavs on Christmas Day
Analysis: The Miami Heat have been pretty disappointing this season, and if it weren’t for Hassan Whiteside’s emergence this year it would be a whole lot worse.
Prior to the season, the tone out of Heat camp was how Pat Riley had recovered from a blindside shot on the part of LeBron James, who decided to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. That tone how quickly changed. Now it’s about Whiteside and only him.
Dwyane Wade is injured, and will continue to be for the next few weeks, Chris Bosh isn’t playing at an NBA All-Star level, despite what the coaches are saying, and Luol Deng has struggled with consistency all year long. Oh, and I totally left out the Heat’s inability to successfully court a point guard this season.
Miami might not make the playoffs this season but with Whiteside’s play, it might not even matter.
Grade: D+
Next: Milwaukee Bucks