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5 Reasons Why Chris Bosh Needs Hassan Whiteside To Start For Miami Heat

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By @ShaneRantSports

5 Reasons Why Chris Bosh Needs Hassan Whiteside To Start For Miami Heat

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Hassan Whiteside is beginning to erupt as a force for the Miami Heat. The 7-footer posted career highs in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday afternoon, making his 23 PTS and 16 REB that more impressive. For Erik Spoelstra and Miami, Hassan could be the answer to all the front court problems. For Chris bosh, Whiteside could be the difference maker, and here are five reasons why Bosh needs the young big man to start.

5. Help Spread the Floor For Bosh

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5. Help Spread the Floor For Bosh

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There is no question that Miami would like to see more scoring out of Bosh, and he did that against the Clippers with 34 PTS. A big factor in his success was Whiteside's season-high 29 minutes off the bench. Whiteside helps to spread the floor, giving Bosh space. When Bosh has space, it makes him a multi-threat player with the ability to shoot and drive off the dribble. Whiteside offers a threat in the post, taking pressure off of Bosh.

4. Chris Andersen Isn't Cutting It

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4. Chris Andersen Isn't Cutting It

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For starting, Chris Andersen has not produced the numbers needed and over the last five games, Whiteside has outplayed "Birdman". Andersen is only averaging 4.9 PTS and 4.6 REB. He has not posted a double-double this season, while Whiteside has posted two in the last three games. Not to mention, Andersen has done nothing to take the pressure off of Bosh. The choice seems pretty obvious.

3. Allow Bosh To Stretch His Game

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3. Allow Bosh To Stretch His Game

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Bosh has had to focus mainly on the post this season because the Heat are so thin in the front court. We know he has the ability to shoot the 15-footer and his three-pointer has come on strong. However, without a threatening big man to play alongside, Bosh can't stretch his game. If Whiteside were to start, it would allow Bosh to step out more often and stretch his game, making Miami more of a threat as a unit.

2. Save Bosh Defensively

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2. Save Bosh Defensively

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Since Miami really has no good choice in the post, Bosh has had to guard the star centers/big men for teams. From Dwight Howard to Marc Gasol, it has been Bosh's job to guard these beasts and that takes a big toll. Whiteside can step in and guard players like Howard. This would save Bosh some energy, keeping him out of foul trouble, and that should lead to better production.

1. Bosh Is Not A True Center

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1. Bosh Is Not A True Center

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It's no secret that Bosh is not a true center, but he has played as the center for the Heat. Miami has not had a true or worthy center to play until Whiteside. Whiteside will be starting center, Bosh would return to the power forward, and the Heat would have a big lineup again, something we haven't seen since pre-"Big 3" era. If Miami wants to turn this season around, Spoelstra needs to start Whiteside.

Shane Phillips is an NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected].

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