Heat's Winslow: Whiteside needs to be an All-Star
Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside probably won't be voted in to start next month's NBA All-Star Game in Toronto, but Justise Winslow is leading the charge to get his teammate named as a reserve.
Winslow wrote a column for The Players' Tribune, published Thursday, where the rookie sings the praises of his center's shot-blocking prowess.
"Three blocks per game means you’ve had one of the 100 or so best seasons blocking shots - ever. Three blocks per is, 'Yo … just, yo …' level," Winslow wrote. "Hassan Whiteside is averaging four blocks per game."
Whiteside's 3.78 swats per contest is almost 1 1/2 more than his closest competitor, Anthony Davis. The numbers are gaudy, even if there are deeper questions about his true effectiveness as a rim-protecting defender.
Related: Why Hassan Whiteside watches 4th quarters from the bench
The former second-round pick - who was out of the NBA for two years before breaking out with the Heat last season - can also be relied on to usually post a double-double. Despite that, Whiteside often sits large chunks of fourth quarters because coach Erik Spoelstra doesn't trust him in crunch time.
To wit: Whiteside's assist percentage is historically bad. There's also the occasional frustration from his more established teammates.
That matters not to Winslow though, who points out what he sees on the floor and from the bench.
"I’ve seen really good teams overhaul entire offensive sets because of Hassan," he wrote. "I've seen world-class shooters sense Hassan in their periphery and rush up a quick one (they always miss). I’ve seen big-time dunkers hear Hassan’s footsteps and suddenly get shook, mid-air, and hit 'em with the fadeaway. I’m telling you: It’s crazy what teams are willing to do to avoid Hassan."
Whether Whiteside truly deserves a nod or not, it's traditionally tough to make a case for three All-Stars from one team, unless that team is exceptionally good. The most recent fan balloting update had Dwyane Wade leading Eastern Conference guards in voting, with Chris Bosh, another deserving member of the Heat, ranked sixth in balloting Thursday to Whiteside's ninth.
Fan balloting ends Jan. 18.