Miami Heat Signing Hassan Whiteside Necessary With Severity of Chris Andersen’s Injury
By Jared Doyle
@outofboundsjay
Cary Edmundson- USA Today Sports
You could hear the collective gasp of the Miami Heat fanbase when Chris Andersen went down clutching his ankle in the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets. Andersen did not return to the game, leaving many to wonder what the Heat will do now that their primary shot-blocking back up center is out for the foreseeable future. The Heat organization decided to scour the D-League and sure enough have come up with a solution.
Hassan Whiteside seems to be the answer for now at backup center on the Heat’s roster. Whiteside has been stellar in the D-League with the Iowa Energy, even coming off a tremendous 24 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots game against the Heat’s D-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Even as the 33rd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Whiteside hasn’t gotten a lot of NBA exposure, playing briefly for the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Whiteside will add some needed size to the Heat’s frontcourt rotation, especially with Andersen being out for an unknown amount of time. The ankle injury Andersen incurred was pretty serious, and although the x-rays were negative, it doesn’t hurt having Whiteside as an insurance policy for the Birdman. Hopefully for the Heat, Whiteside can bring some of that tenacious defensive intensity that won him Defensive Player of the Year in the Pro China League in 2013. Otherwise, the Heat could be looking at a very weak frontcourt rotation for the next couple of months without Andersen.
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
Whitesde Could Become Heat's Starting Center
The Miami Heat need to reevaluate their starting center position, and Hassan Whiteside is clearly the best option going forward. See why here. Read More
Examining Why Pistons Should Give Monroe Max Deal
Why must the Detroit Pistons offer Greg Monroe the max this offseason if they want to hang on to him? Find out here. Read More
Jackson Takes Blame For Knicks' Disastrous Season
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson is right to take blame for the team's disastrous season. Read More
Spencer Hawes Remains Clippers' X-Factor
Spencer Hawes has certainly disappointed so far in his short time with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he remains their X-factor in regards to their success the rest of the season, and in the playoffs. Read More
Time To Shake Up The Heat Roster
The latest Miami Heat dilemma centers around if Pat Riley’s next move will be the right move. Read More
Wizards Seraphin Shows His Solidarity for Paris 12
Political messages in sports can often backfire, but recent t-shirts worn by NBA players hit the right chords with fans, including Washington Wizards F Kevin Seraphin. Read More
Warriors Glad They Kept Klay Thompson
The Golden State Warriors seriously considered including Klay Thompson in a trade for Kevin Love this summer, but Thompson has shown that the Warriors made a wise decision. Read More
Lakers Should Sign Ed Davis Quickly
Ed Davis is showing the Los Angeles Lakers his worth. He's been a consistent player this season for Los Angeles. The Lakers should not let Davis hit free agency next season. Read More
Wizards, Wall Expose Bulls' Shortcomings
It's far from over for the Chicago Bulls, but Friday's undressing by the Washington Wizards prove the Bulls' frontcourt is severely lacking. Read More
Better Starts Will Help the Detroit Pistons
After going down by 23, the Detroit Pistons fought back and nearly completed an incredible comeback, but a stronger start would have won them the game -- an issue that needs to be fixed. Read More
5 Reasons Why Love Should Start All-Star Game
If you are looking for reasons why Kevin Love should be an NBA All-Star starter, then look no further than the weak Eastern Conference. Read More
5 Realistic 2015 NBA Trade Machine Deals
The NBA trade machine is always good for a couple hours of entertainment, but what are some moves that could actually happen? Read More