NBA Miami Heat

Hassan Whiteside Has Become A Necessity For Miami Heat

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By @outofboundsjay

February 1, 2015; Steve Mitchell; Hassan Whiteside

Steve Mitchell- USA Today Sports

The Miami Heat‘s starting lineup has had no consistency this season, with the team utilizing 19 different lineups over the span of just 46 games. Injuries have obviously been the driving factor behind these moves, but consistency would certainly be the cure for what is currently ailing the Heat’s season.

Through it all, the Heat organization found a diamond in the rough, signing Hassan Whiteside in November as part of an attempt to bolster the frontcourt rotation. In doing so, they may have found a franchise center who could be a cornerstone players for years to come.

Although the Heat have lost three of their last six games,Whiteside has been the driving force in keeping all of these games competitive. Once Whiteside’s out of the game due to foul trouble or rest, the Heat’s defensive mindset completely shifts, and not in a good way. Teams are outscoring the Heat in quarters when Whiteside isn’t around to protect the rim.

A great example of this was the Heat’s recent blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Once Whiteside exited the game midway through the third quarter, the Mavericks went on a 27-15 run to finish the quarter, then outscored the Heat 33-12 to finish the fourth.

Its crazy to think that on a roster that includes Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Luol Deng and Danny Granger, a D-league player who was rejected by 29 other teams would be the pivotal force behind the Heat staying in the playoff hunt. It would seem that the only way the Heat can win these days is if Whiteside is starting and averaging more than 26 minutes a game.

If that is what it takes to win games for the Heat, they need to hold onto Whiteside for as long as they can. Luckily for the Heat, Whiteside’s contract is for two years instead of just one.

Jared Doyle is a Miami Heat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @outofboundsjay, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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