NBA's best blocker Whiteside grateful for teams that come at him
Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside has several people to thank for helping him become the league leader in blocked shots a month into the 2015-16 season.
Averaging a ridiculous 4.8 swats per game through 13 contests, the 7-footer from North Carolina recognizes that he couldn't put up such staggering stats all by his lonesome.
And so, he is appreciative of the teams which continue to drive into the paint - Whiteside's domain - and attack the basket in hopes of scoring hard-earned points over the big man's 7-foot-7 wingspan.
"There's teams that are out there, 'Stay away from Hassan.' And there's teams out there, 'We don't care if Hassan is down there, attack Hassan,'" he told reporters Monday.
"And I love them teams. God bless them coaches and bless them. I love them teams."
Not only is Whiteside eclipsing his competitors in the blocks average column - the Los Angeles Clippers' DeAndre Jordan is ranked No. 2 in the Association with 2.9 - he has amassed far more rejections (63 in total) than anyone else. Jordan has 41, while no other player has more than 40 to date.
Related: Heat's Hassan Whiteside records triple-double with blocks
What's more, Whiteside has established such impressive defensive efficacy while also staving off foul trouble. Averaging only 2.2 fouls per game (28 in total) has enabled Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra to keep his stat-stuffing five-man in games without having to worry about Whiteside nearing his six-foul limit.
Heat fans should not take Whiteside's exploits for granted, however.
"No, man, it's not as easy as you might think," he said.
He added, "I think you guys are all kind of used to it now. At first, it wowed y'all. And now it's just like, 'Another one.'"