Miami Heat: 5 goals for Hassan Whiteside in 2017-18

Hassan Whiteside has produced exceptional individual statistics, but for him to reach the next level of NBA stardom, he has to carry the Miami Heat during the 2017-18 season.

The Miami Heat have grown accustomed to fielding a roster with plenty of star power, but since collapse of the Big Three era, Hassan Whiteside has emerged as the most promising player on the team.

The seven-foot center has achieved plenty of success since signing for the league minimum in 2014. In 198 career games with the Heat, Whiteside has posted 99 double-doubles, four triple-doubles and his 269 blocks two years ago ranks as the fourth-highest total this century.

After signing a four-year, $98 million deal, Whiteside quickly lived up to the expectations accompanying such a large contract.

Last season, Whiteside was one of the most impactful centers in the league, averaging 17 points, a league-best 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

Whiteside ranked second in defensive rebounds (795) and sixth in offensive rebounds (293), even though he missed five games and played fewer than 20 minutes 49 times.

While the 28-year-old managed plenty of individual success, he just missed out on carrying the team into the playoffs.

For Miami to return to the postseason, Whiteside will have to continue to advance his game. Here are five goals for the 2017-18 season.