Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: 5 Most Exciting Non-Superstars To Watch

By Colby Giacubeno

Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the second half of Tuesday night
Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the second half of Tuesday night /

Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat

Hassan Whiteside has had a different sort of path to NBA success. He was drafted 33rd overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2010 draft, but played the majority of his two seasons for the team’s D-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, and was then waived. After a few more stops in the D-League, Whiteside had stints overseas in China before finally getting another shot in the NBA.

The start of his success began when he was signed by the Miami Heat for the 2014-15 season. Whiteside again spent some time that season in the D-League, but when he was called up again, he took advantage by recorded a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five blocks. From there, He started to find his niche in the league by gathering more and more minutes.

This season, Whiteside has turned into a force in all facets of the game. He is leading the league by far in blocks with 3.6 per game. This season alone, he has recorded three-triple doubles consisting of points, rebounds, and blocks–he is just the seventh player in NBA history to achieve that type of triple-double more than once.

Not only is he a pleasure to watch when he is swatting shots into the stands, but Whiteside’s offensive game is starting to surface as well. Unlike DeAndre Jordan and Andre Drummond, Whiteside is somewhat respectable from the free-throw line shooting 64 percent on the season. He ranks third in field goal percentage shooting 60.9 percent.

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Although he is 26 years old, there is still tons of room for improvement. If Whiteside can develop a consistent 15-foot jumper, his game will reach new heights. But until then, sit back and watch “Agent Block” control the boards, finish alley-oops, and send opponent’s shots into the stands.