NBA Miami Heat

Hassan Whiteside Could Become the Miami Heat’s New Starting Center

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By @outofboundsjay

January 10, 2015; Troy Taormina; Hassan Whiteside

Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

Let’s face it, the Chris Andersen as starting center project for the Miami Heat has failed miserably. Since Andersen’s move to the starting lineup, the Heat have lost more games than they have won, indicating that the consistent energy needed from a starter is just not there for Andersen. Playing as the first center off the bench in the rotation fits Andersen a lot more, especially because it features him with less average minutes and playing with a different set of players.

Hassan Whiteside has been such a pleasant upside for the Heat, and with the way Andersen’s energy has seemingly disappeared over the last few games, Whiteside could find himself starting sooner rather than later. This will especially be true if the Heat continue to lose games with Andersen in the starting lineup. To put this in perspective, Andersen has averaged 6.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 block, averaging 21.8 minutes over the last five games as a starter. Whiteside, while coming off the bench, has averaged 9.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks, going for 20.8 minutes per game over the same five games.

Whiteside has provided such a steadying defensive presence for the Heat, and his consistency should be enough reason for Erik Spoelstra to plug him into the starting lineup. Andersen, age 37, isn’t spry enough to handle the load of a typical starting NBA center. Andersen is most efficient when coming off the bench, and with few other options at center, Whiteside is clearly the best choice to start.

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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