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Miami Heat: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

BySimon Smith|
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

4. Hassan Whiteside falls out of the rotation

Given he’s started in his past 134 regular season appearances and is due to earn $25.4 million this season, it’s understandable that Hassan Whiteside will be expected to begin the season as the starting center.

However, while a healthy and engaged Whiteside is still capable of impacting a game and stuffing the stat sheet, it became highly evident over the course of last season how well the Heat performed when the 29-year-old was off the floor.

Granted, Whiteside missed 28 games last season due to an assortment of ailments, and these naturally had some effect on his overall impact. Having said that, on a per 36 minutes basis, the former Marshall product actually had a superior season statistically to his career year of 2016-17.

Despite this, both the advanced stats and the eye test supported the notion that the Heat performed better when Whiteside was out of the lineup. Overall, the Heat were 4.4 points per 100 possessions better off when Whiteside was off the floor. However, this became more transparent as the season progressed.

From Feb. 2 onward, the Heat were 7.8 points per 100 possessions better off when Whiteside was resting, with his 108.2 defensive rating representing the worst return on the roster during this time.

Furthermore, there were the multiple blow-ups over the course of the season where Whiteside vented his frustrations via the media at his perceived lack of respect and playing time. While he’ll naturally be given a fresh chance with a new season, he’ll also be on a short leash as it pertains to his volatile outbursts.

With the league moving toward small-ball, and the affinity coach Spoelstra has shown towards playing Kelly Olynyk as the season progressed, not to mention emerging center Bam Adebayo, it’s highly conceivable that Whiteside is pushed to the side despite being the highest-paid player on the roster.

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