Miami Heat: 5 Takeaways From Pat Riley’s End-Of-Year Press Conference
By Frank Urbina
2. Whiteside Grew Up, But More Is Needed
When asked about whether Hassan Whiteside had finally become the player Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra wanted to see when they signed him to the huge contract extension, Miami’s team president responded with one word: Yes.
Thankfully, he chose to expound on that answer.
"But there’s so much more we need from him. For us to beat Golden State or the world champions up in Ohio, or any other [contender], we’re going to need to have a championship center. I think he has the capability of being that. I do think that now… he understands his responsibilities. [Spoelstra] and I discuss a lot of things about [Whiteside] and how he can better help us. Can he be a 17-[point], 14-[rebound], 4-[assist] guy, and shoot 61 percent and 70 percent from the line? Which is what… he is right about now. Or can he be a 25-17-6 player? And I think he can be that."
Although the assist numbers seem unlikely (Whiteside is never going to average close to six dimes), Miami’s center does deserve some credit. In 2016-17, he had 17 games with more than one assist. In 2015-16, he had just six games with that many. Baby steps.
His improved maturity also led to his best year as a defender, even despite his block totals going down. The Heat allowed the fewest threes per game in the NBA, were second-best in paint defense and fifth in points allowed per 100 possessions, mostly thanks to a defensive scheme built around its game-changing center.
What’s unquestionable is that he still has loads of untapped potential. It’s not common to say a player who averages 17 points and 14 rebounds with over two blocks per game can reach yet another plateau. But that’s how freakish Whiteside is.