Hoops Habit
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Top 5 Centers Of The First Quarter

By Kyle Tomasi

Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) drives the ball against New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) drives the ball against New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside has progressed tremendously over the past three seasons since being in a Miami Heat jersey.

After being drafted by the Sacramento Kings, where he only played 19 games in two seasons, Whiteside bounced around between the NBA D-League, Lebanon and China before finding his stride in Miami.

He has seen his points per game climb every year since being in the NBA.

From his rookie campaign and averaging 0.0 points per game (he only played one game) to his fifth season where he is now averaging 17.6 points per game, Whiteside is proving that he is not just a defensive stopper.

Whiteside is more or your traditional center where he plays block-to-block. You won’t see him stretch the floor, but the Heat don’t need him to. He is shooting an impressive 54.9 percent from the floor, which ranks 10th in the league at the quarter mark.

Whiteside also continues to impress on the defensive end. From sending shots into the fifth row  to straight up snagging shots out of mid-air, Whiteside is one of the most dominant rim protectors in the league.

He averages 2.5 blocks per game this season, which is down from last year’s impressive performance of 3.7 blocks per game. He also leads the NBA in rebounds per game at 14.7.

Keep doing your thing Whiteside; your 2K rating will continue to skyrocket with these types of performances.