Hassan Whiteside: Is Heat Center A Future Star?
By Evan Massey
Is Miami Heat big man Hassan Whiteside a future star after his impressive season so far?
The name “Hassan Whiteside” wasn’t very well known across the NBA before this season, and especially before the last two games that he has played with the Miami Heat.
Miami has needed a dominant big man since back when LeBron James signed with them in free agency, and this could very well end up being their guy. At 7’0″ and 265 pounds, he is a force to be reckoned with in the post on both offense and defense. There aren’t many other players that can match up to those measurements, especially with the athleticism that he possesses.
His past two games have been very impressive performances, and show just how much potential he has moving forward into the future.
Against the Chicago Bulls on January 25th, Whiteside went off for a massive triple-double. He recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 blocked shots. Whiteside then proceeded to back that game up with a monster double-double, scoring 16 points to go along with 16 rebounds.
Considering that this is his first legitimate playing time in the NBA, his numbers are extremely impressive. He has been averaging 8.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game so far this season, but his full potential is beginning to shine through for the Heat.
So the question becomes, is Whiteside a future star big man for the Heat or is he just coming up with a couple big games?
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Quite simply, the answer is a resounding yes. Whiteside has all of the physical tools to be an impressive NBA player, and he has the work ethic as well. He has remained positive and continued working hard to get to this point, and he is making a major difference on a playoff contending team.
There aren’t many players in the league that can match up against a player like Whiteside, and he will continue getting better with the work ethic that he has. He may never be a “superstar” but there is definitely “star” potential surrounding his game.
It is going to be very intriguing to see how he continues to improve moving down the stretch of the season. The Heat are going to need him to continue stepping up if they want to contend in the Eastern Conference, and he hasn’t shown signs of slowing down yet. Miami is going to continue giving him big minutes until he slows down, which may not end up happening.
All of that being said, the 25-year-old big man out of Marshall has a very bright future ahead of him. He has been playing like a star over the past couple of games, and it is because he is learning more about the game and adjusting to the speed and physicality of it. Assuming he keeps progressing like he is expected to, there is no question that he will end up being a star big man in the NBA.
Whiteside has made plenty of new fans over the past week, and his popularity will continue to rise as long as he keeps playing at a high level. Don’t expect to see him disappear again anytime soon.