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Miami Heat: 5 Reasons Hassan Whiteside Is For Real

By Jackson Sanders

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
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 /
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Oct 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) grabs a rebound as Houston Rockets center Joshua Smith (R) defends during the second half at Toyota Center. The Heat won 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) grabs a rebound as Houston Rockets center Joshua Smith (R) defends during the second half at Toyota Center. The Heat won 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason No. 5: So Far, So Good

Instead of putting Hassan Whiteside’s past under the microscope to determine his future, perhaps it is best to simply look at the present.

This preseason, Whiteside averaged 10.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game over three games played. Those stats fall in line with the 11.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 23.8 minutes per game he averaged last regular season.

Sure it’s only preseason, but seeing him put up similar numbers to his final line last year should be reassuring for anyone wondering if it was just a blip on the radar. An uptick in minutes should allow him to average a strong double-double this year with a full complement of blocks.

Viewing Whiteside in the prism of similar style centers like DeAndre Jordan and Andre Drummond, he should have no problem settling in as a “for real” center in the NBA.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: Opening Week

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