Pistons Get Ready for Walk on the Whiteside
By J.M. Poulard
Essentials
- Teams: Miami Heat (21-26) at Detroit Pistons (18-30)
- Date: February 3
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: NBATV (national), FSD (local)
The Detroit Pistons will host Hassan Whiteside and the Miami Heat tonight, in a matchup that will cast a spotlight on the centers for both teams.
Normally, one would spend time focusing on Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh given their All-Star credentials and championship pedigree, but today is not that day. Wade is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Bosh is slowly drifting into the shadows once more.
It’s not that Bosh is no longer productive for the Heat; rather he is slowly becoming overshadowed much like when LeBron James donned a Heat jersey.
Keep in mind, Bosh’s PER (20.2) is the highest it’s ever been since joining Miami, a clear sign that he brings multiple things to the table. He stretches defenses thin with his shooting and still has the ability to put the ball on the floor every now and then. Combine that with his low-post game, and Miami has itself one of the best power forwards in basketball.
Why is he once again being marginalized then?
Two words: Hassan Whiteside.
Whiteside is turning heads with his athleticism and productivity so far this season. Although the Heat only signed him in late November, the D-League product is now an essential ingredient in all things Miami.
Whiteside is a 7’0’’ center with great reach and impressive athleticism. He uses those traits to dunk and block everything within his sight.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra is slowly gaining a comfort level with his newfound project and is starting to give Whiteside a steady dose of minutes. One can understand the reasons that initially prompted the coaching staff to hold Whiteside back (fouls, grasping defense and opposing experienced frontlines), but he is now forcing Spoelstra’s hand.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, Whiteside appeared in 11 games during the month of January and averaged 13 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.4 blocks in 23.6 minutes per game. Oh and for good measure, he converted 67 percent of his field-goal attempts.
How ridiculous are those numbers? When projected over 36 minutes per contest, we’re talking about absurd averages of 19.8 points, 16.2 rebounds and 5.1 blocks, per NBA.com.
As impressive as the numbers are, they fail to capture what it is that’s madeWhiteside so special in a mere 21 games this season. Although he will turn 26 by the time the draft rolls around, Whiteside plays with the exuberance one would find in a first or second-year player. He attempts to challenge or outright reject every shot that comes within five feet of him, and he cares for not for those trying to impede his path to the hoop.
Indeed, Whiteside will jump over opponents for rebounds, dunks and blocks, and then deal with the consequences. He’s almost an evolutionary version of former Heat legend Alonzo Mourning.
This naturally makes for a compelling matchup when the player standing opposite of him is Andre Drummond.
Drummond is just as athletic as Whiteside and a tad less reckless. I’m curious to see whether these giants cancel each other out, or whether one enjoys an upper hand for his counterpart.
Either way, everyone wins from a fan’s perspective.
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