Whiteside after injury-riddled season: 'I feel like my regular self again'

Hassan Whiteside struggled to stay on the floor last season, appearing in just 54 games for the Miami Heat, but he's prepared to return to form after spending the summer rehabilitating from a bone bruise.

"I feel like my regular self again," Whiteside told reporters on Wednesday, according to ESPN.

"I was in and out of the rotation with injuries," he added. "Just coming back healthy. Coming back from a bone bruise, it takes months to heal."

Whiteside also struggled to stay on the floor when he was healthy. He avereaged 25 minutes per game, and was often outplayed by fellow big men Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo

The 7-footer often took subtle shots at head coach Erik Spoelstra over his lack of playing time, leading to rumors of an inevitable end to his time in Miami.

However, Whiteside put the issues to rest after having a long sit down with the two-time NBA-championship winning coach.

"We had a great talk," Whiteside said. "I just think it's trust on both sides. I think that's the biggest thing ... It was about a four-hour meeting. It was a lot about life. It was two hours basketball, two hours life. It was a good meeting."

Heat president Pat Riley recently denied reports of the franchise gauging Whiteside's trade value, stating he "has not been shopped all over the league," according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson.

Prior to his troubles last season, Whiteside played 77 games in 2016-17, finishing with career highs in points (17.0) and rebounds (14.1).