In last night’s loss to the Magic, Heat center Hassan Whiteside left the bench early during the closing seconds of the fourth quarter and did not return. Per ESPN, head coach Erik Spoelstra was not given an explanation at the time, surmising that Whiteside was “probably extremely upset like we all are.”
However, teammate Dwyane Wade provided a more detailed explanation, telling reporters that Whiteside simply left the bench area to return to the locker room early because he had to go to the bathroom, which Whiteside confirmed today, per David Furones of the Sun-Sentinel.
“I didn’t know it was going to be as big of a deal as it was. I couldn’t hold it. My stomach was bothering me,” Whiteside said. “I had to go to the bathroom. I’m sorry if that makes me a bad guy.”
Despite Whiteside’s explanation, Spoelstra apparently still wasn’t happy, perhaps not believing that the center’s absence was completely caused by stomach issues. Per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Whiteside was disciplined internally.
“It’s totally unacceptable behavior by Hassan,” Spoelstra said. “We handled it, as a team, in the locker room today. That’s all any of you need to know.”
Whiteside, who averaged just 25.3 minutes per game last season, his lowest since his first season with the Heat in 2014/15, has so far logged a similar 26.9 minutes per game this season. However, both his rebound and block numbers are up, with his 13.7 RPG good enough for third in the NBA behind Andre Drummond and DeAndre Jordan.
If I had to “go” that bad, I would have been in a bit of a hurry as I left the court. He appears to be in no rush for any reason other than to get away from the game.
well that settles it. everyone has the same mannerisms as ChiTownFanTilDeath
Or else he is away that if he s out there cameras are always watching and guys tend to stay composed when they know they are being watched.
Unfortunately miami is being ran terribly, whiteside balled out in the first quarter then barely got to touch the ball the rest of the game. Spoelstra is purposely keeping the ball from him then just sitting him for the second half. Miami needs to either trade whiteside or fire spoelstra imo hes a terrible coach
Whiteside getting 20 minutes when trash players like Olynyk and Tyler johnson getting 30 lmao joke of a coach
You’re obviously not watching the same Hassan Whiteside I do, and anyone that watches this team does, every night. Either that or you think he has totally different abilities than he has.
Had to check the box score for the Florida matchup of teams moving in opposite directions. Heat led at half, Magic ruled the 3rd. Whiteside 24′, 3blocks, 9rebs, 6 for 7 meaning he should have seen the ball more.
On the other hand, the Orlando bigs dominated Miami’s– +31, +28, +17. I can see Whiteside mad about Orlando servicing their bigs more, preventing him from keeping up, and Spoelstra mad about his effort and results.
Whiteside always gets destroyed by Vucevic. Admittedly, his numbers were better last night, but he has been terrible all season. Percentages are way down, and he is in the middle of a massive drought at the ft line. I dont care about counting stats as much as everything else I always talk about, and he hasnt been any better in any of those areas really. If only he wasnt such a black hole and would actually pass the ball, maybe he wouldn’t be a turnover machine in the post, and he would get more touches. He also is an issue defensively, which is an even bigger deal
If Whiteside came off the bench, as Valanciunas does, he would be so much better, and the team would be better. As I’ve said, he had his best year off the bench behind Amare, which got him paid. I’d like to see more James Johnson at the 5 in some lineups, and I would play matchups to determine the starter at the 5. When Rochardson, Winslow, and Bam are in the same lineup, the Heat net rating is really good, so that’s something to consider
Still the main issue everyone always ignores over these last couple of years is health. This is the only team I never see anyone acknowledging that they’re going through injuries, and they arguably miss the most games due to injury every year recently. It would be different if it were 1 or 2 guys, but it has been the whole team each of the last few years. This team has a chance to finally be healthy soon, so I’d like to see how that goes
Put whiteside with any other coach hes 20x better, spoelstra is wasting him, when your best player is getting 20 minutes and a bunch of garbage role players are getting 30+ there is a problem
Rofl if Whiteside played with more effort, he would play more minutes
A real man craps his pants on the bench. – Eric Spoelstra
The Heat have continuously looked like a trainwreck ever since LeBron left.
It’s called the queen James effect.
I’m sure if he had just given the coaches the courtesy of letting them know what was going on before he left, all would have been OK. Whiteside may not be a bad guy…but he’s not a smart guy.
D Wade didn’t come back for this…
I can see Whiteside in a Kings uniform. Same as Porter. Whiteside > WCS who you’ll have to pay next year something along the lines of 4/50-60. Clear out some space on the roster. Use ZBo, Shumpert, McLemore, Koufos, and WCS to get an efficient Big that’s better defensively and in need of a change of scenery. Bagley needs to play 34-36 mpg. You drafted this kid for a reason – C & PF. Giles is still a project. Move on from Skal, J Jackson too.
Whiteside – Bagley – Porter – Hield – Fox
Bagley – Bjelica – Porter – Hield – Fox
No doubt that Miami’s season is going down the toilet.
Spoelstra is the one who is inexcusable leaving out of the forth his best player, that guy knows nothing of basketball, Whiteside would thrive in so many other teams, Miami is wasting him away, while many other bad players like Olynyk, the Johnson’s & so on play so much more
At the end of the day when a man gotta go, gotta go, nothing for it