Something magical happened during the first half of the HEAT-Pistons game on New Year’s Day, that no one saw coming. Before the game Erik Spoelstra announced that Goran Dragic (Back), Justise Winslow (Shoulder) and Hassan Whiteside (Eye Poke) would not play against the Pistons, and it felt like the HEAT were heading to another blowout loss. The remaining active HEAT players had other plans however, coming out on fire from 3 point land on their way to making 10 3-pointers in the first half, while shooting 66%. The HEAT also dished out 20 assists on 64% FG.
The ball movement and offensive flow stood out from the onset as the HEAT again resembled a team built for the modern NBA. A club that relied on shooting, passing, and cutting to open spots in order to generate high percentage opportunities. With Whiteside out of the lineup, there was no need to focus on dumping the basketball into the post and hoping for a return pass. There was no reason to stand and watch the offense bog down while Whiteside banged against the opposing center and attempt to muscle in a contested shot.
The HEAT offense flowed wonderfully with curl screens and cuts that lead to continuous open looks that the HEAT capitalized on over and over again. It was beautiful to watch for a half and the open looks continued in the 2nd half, until fatigue did not allow the HEAT to sustain their first half shooting efficiency. Andre Drummond began to impose his will late in the game with a very simple approach – rebounds, lob dunks, and energy put backs. Without Whiteside’s defensive presence, the HEAT wilted under the constant paint pressure and finally succumbed to the Pistons. This is a formula that works for less skilled/highly athletic centers in the new NBA, as players like Tristan Thompson, DeAndre Jordan, Andre Drummond, and Clint Capela have thrived with this approach. After watching the HEAT offense thrive without Whiteside, I believe he could improve the team tremendously if he adopted this style of play exclusively until the rest of his skills developed.
A few weeks back, Whiteside expressed his desire to BSO for more paint touches as way to impact the outcome of games, but opponents have shown a propensity to collapse and foul, forcing a 54% FT shooter to the foul line. His footwork in the post is still evolving and his range does not stretch out to the 3 point line, so at this stage, Whiteside would be more effective as an energy rebounder, lob dunker, and defensive stopper. To do so, Whiteside would have to improve his basket cuts off of screen and rolls, as well as his lateral defense on high pick and roll situations. The big question is, will Whiteside’s disdain of being considered a one-dimensional player stop him from even considering a change in approach?
Back in 2015 during HEAT training camp, Whiteside shared his aspirations to become Hakeem Olajuwon and Dwyane Wade Responded with:
“The kid has big dreams.”
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Statements like theses along with claims of being a franchise player show that asking for a change in approach would be a tough sell that has likely already be mentioned.
Hassan Whiteside is a tremendous basketball player with incredible physical attributes, but he must deploy his talents in a more effective way in order for the HEAT to have more success this year and beyond. If Hassan Whiteside truly wants to become Olajuwon, he should follow the same path as Hakeem. Olajuwon started his NBA career as a dominant rebounder, defender, and energy player, that developed his offensive game later in his career. Greatness awaits Hassan if he decides to walk that same path.