Hassan Whiteside: Road To The Max

[3ballbomber]

Q: Ira, I get so infuriated with all the blind Hassan Whiteside support. I think these fans don’t understand the game of basketball. Basketball is so much more than rebounds and block shots and making shots, for that matter. Basketball is about trust and team and knowing that the guy next to you is a professional and will make the right play at the right time and think team first. And I'm not talking about the elbow he threw; that's the least of my concern. I'm talking about the many times he takes plays or even games off, because he is upset he isn’t getting enough minutes, or the ball wasn't passed to him when he had position in the low block. -- Yunasi, Miami Beach.


A: And you know what you do with players like that? You cultivate and rehabilitate and mentor. I'm just confounded by this mindset seemingly of, "Well, we'll just go out and get another Whiteside." Has everyone suddenly forgotten about how long it took the Heat to find another center after Alonzo Mourning was done? Are you truly willing to punt on this and head back the Joel Anthony path?

Great points here!!!!

why whiteside being here is vital for his career rather than chasing money on a team that will feed his entitlement mentality. Money will come via endorsements once he starts winning championships. it all really depends on what is most important to the kid.

[Flash4thewin]

Q: Ira, I get so infuriated with all the blind Hassan Whiteside support. I think these fans don’t understand the game of basketball. Basketball is so much more than rebounds and block shots and making shots, for that matter. Basketball is about trust and team and knowing that the guy next to you is a professional and will make the right play at the right time and think team first. And I'm not talking about the elbow he threw; that's the least of my concern. I'm talking about the many times he takes plays or even games off, because he is upset he isn’t getting enough minutes, or the ball wasn't passed to him when he had position in the low block. -- Yunasi, Miami Beach.


A: And you know what you do with players like that? You cultivate and rehabilitate and mentor. I'm just confounded by this mindset seemingly of, "Well, we'll just go out and get another Whiteside." Has everyone suddenly forgotten about how long it took the Heat to find another center after Alonzo Mourning was done? Are you truly willing to punt on this and head back the Joel Anthony path?

Great points here!!!!

why whiteside being here is vital for his career rather than chasing money on a team that will feed his entitlement mentality. Money will come via endorsements once he starts winning championships. it all really depends on what is most important to the kid.

The most important thing to him is to get paid. You can always go ring chasing later in life but you need to cash in that lottery ticket now at top dollar. Championships are in no way guarantied so its foolish to think other wise. Heck with Wade Bosh and Lebron we could have easily been 1/4 if it wasnt for Ray Allen magical 3. We are in no way anywhere near that talent level.

[Heatworld]

Lost somewhere in all of the Hassan blaming is Spotard's ridiculous job coaching this team.

[3ballbomber]

Great points here!!!!

why whiteside being here is vital for his career rather than chasing money on a team that will feed his entitlement mentality. Money will come via endorsements once he starts winning championships. it all really depends on what is most important to the kid.

The most important thing to him is to get paid. You can always go ring chasing later in life but you need to cash in that lottery ticket now at top dollar. Championships are in no way guarantied so its foolish to think other wise. Heck with Wade Bosh and Lebron we could have easily been 1/4 if it wasnt for Ray Allen magical 3. We are in no way anywhere near that talent level.

and this is why the new generation are spoiled. Back in the day greats worked for their checks. This personifies the mind state of some of the new generation.

If Hassan is truly great he will inevitably earn the money he deserves w/ the accomplishments he achieves, not as an individual but how he makes his team better and how far he takes them.

[QUIZ]

Great points here!!!!

why whiteside being here is vital for his career rather than chasing money on a team that will feed his entitlement mentality. Money will come via endorsements once he starts winning championships. it all really depends on what is most important to the kid.

The most important thing to him is to get paid. You can always go ring chasing later in life but you need to cash in that lottery ticket now at top dollar. Championships are in no way guarantied so its foolish to think other wise. Heck with Wade Bosh and Lebron we could have easily been 1/4 if it wasnt for Ray Allen magical 3. We are in no way anywhere near that talent level.

and this is why the new generation are spoiled. Back in the day greats worked for their checks. This personifies the mind state of some of the new generation.

If Hassan is truly great he will inevitably earn the money he deserves w/ the accomplishments he achieves, not as an individual but how he makes his team better and how far he takes them.

I don't understand. He's a 26 year old basket ball player who has about a 5 year window to cash in big. He's not an all time great and never will be. He could care less about chasing titles. Most guys don't unless they have GOAT level expectations coming into league.

You have a very romanticized view of how these guys think and its really off base. The reality isn't like that at all.

Ethan once said in response to people getting mad about Heat players still being friendly with LeBron that this is the mind of the modern NBA player.

1. Themsleves
2. Their family


3. Other players(even on other teams)








4. Organization and ownership
















5. Us fans

When Hassan thinks of the Heat he doesn't think about you or me or Spo or the Owners. He thinks of TJ, J. Rich, Deng, Justise, Bosh, and Wade. Friends that he's made during his time here who won't stop being his friends just because he signs else where.

This notion of loyalty and honor or whatever you're talking about, it doesn't exist. If this time next year Hassan signs the max with LA he'll still be tight with the guys that he met when he was here. Nothing else matters. He's going to make the decision thats best for him. It really is that simple.

[RexBoyWonder]

Great points here!!!!

why whiteside being here is vital for his career rather than chasing money on a team that will feed his entitlement mentality. Money will come via endorsements once he starts winning championships. it all really depends on what is most important to the kid.

The most important thing to him is to get paid. You can always go ring chasing later in life but you need to cash in that lottery ticket now at top dollar. Championships are in no way guarantied so its foolish to think other wise. Heck with Wade Bosh and Lebron we could have easily been 1/4 if it wasnt for Ray Allen magical 3. We are in no way anywhere near that talent level.

and this is why the new generation are spoiled. Back in the day greats worked for their checks. This personifies the mind state of some of the new generation.

If Hassan is truly great he will inevitably earn the money he deserves w/ the accomplishments he achieves, not as an individual but how he makes his team better and how far he takes them.

You're way too idealistic for this day in age, Hassan mindset seem to be at the exact opposite place. Cant' say I blame him. I think his next contract might very well be the last big contract he'll get.

[3ballbomber]

I'm old school and i believe there are still old school mentality in some players. It's still yet to proven if Hassan is all about the money. I guess we will find out soon enough. I stick to the stance that i think he does stay and Riles is able to sign him for an amount everybody will be happy with.

And oh yeah Quiz, both Bosh & Wade have no time for the kid - i think this is quite evident in their comments about him. They may act like they cool if Hassan leaves to collect his check elsewhere because that's the kind of classy organization we are but we all know they won't think much of the kid if this happens. We don't display our bitterness and negativity to the public...evident w/ how Riles treats Shaq & Lebron in his words.

[QUIZ]

I'm old school and i believe there are still old school mentality in some players. It's still yet to proven if Hassan is all about the money. I guess we will find out soon enough. I stick to the stance that i think he does stay and Riles is able to sign him for an amount everybody will be happy with.

And oh yeah Quiz, both Bosh & Wade have no time for the kid - i think this is quite evident in their comments about him. They may act like they cool if Hassan leaves to collect his check elsewhere because that's the kind of classy organization we are but we all know they won't think much of the kid if this happens. We don't display our bitterness and negativity to the public...evident w/ how Riles treats Shaq & Lebron in his words.

Again 3bb I doubt he cares. He's best friends with J. Rich judging by his snaps. Guys like him, TJ and Jutise are what matters. What Bosh and Wade think probably doesn't. I doubt Wade and Hassan hang out much.

[3ballbomber]

We won't truly know what's up w/ this circle of players until the decisions are made. It's going to be interesting.

[Heat3]

There is nothing old school about making dumb financial decisions.

If you're good at digging ditches and your employer only wants you to dig ditches that's all you'll ever do and ever be. You've got to make your own opportunities and nit sit and wait for someone else to decide for you.

I wish him the best whether it's here or not. The possibility of setting yourself up for life by playing a game? That's worth a lot more than giving Heat3 on realgm another parade to watch on tv.

[QUIZ]

The way to think about it is this:

Let's say you're a lawyer and you get an entry level job at a respectable law firm. While there you become best friends with a couple of the other young up and comers.

But then you get offered a promotion that comes with a corner office and a higher salary out in LA.

Yeah, maybe if you stayed at your current law firm and worked your way up you'd be a better lawyer for it but you can't blame the guy for jumping on a great opportunity when it presents it self.

On top of that the friends that he made when he was down here will still be his friends if and when he leaves.

[Flash4thewin]

I'm old school and i believe there are still old school mentality in some players. It's still yet to proven if Hassan is all about the money. I guess we will find out soon enough. I stick to the stance that i think he does stay and Riles is able to sign him for an amount everybody will be happy with.

And oh yeah Quiz, both Bosh & Wade have no time for the kid - i think this is quite evident in their comments about him. They may act like they cool if Hassan leaves to collect his check elsewhere because that's the kind of classy organization we are but we all know they won't think much of the kid if this happens. We don't display our bitterness and negativity to the public...evident w/ how Riles treats Shaq & Lebron in his words.

It's kinda ironic but all of our titles were won by the new school mentality. Shaq recruited Payton etc to play with him and we win our first ring. Shaq even recruited Zo to come out of retirement to be his backup.

If Wade was old school no way we get Lebron. Lebron personally helped get us Miller, Battier and Ray with his recruiting.

[HEATVols865]

So what the hell is going on that now we're looking at trading Whiteside? Is he as good as gone? And why would we trade him and Dragic for Teague and an undersized Horford? Are we aspiring to be the Hawks?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HeatGuyInChicago]

The most important thing to him is to get paid. You can always go ring chasing later in life but you need to cash in that lottery ticket now at top dollar. Championships are in no way guarantied so its foolish to think other wise. Heck with Wade Bosh and Lebron we could have easily been 1/4 if it wasnt for Ray Allen magical 3. We are in no way anywhere near that talent level.

and this is why the new generation are spoiled. Back in the day greats worked for their checks. This personifies the mind state of some of the new generation.

If Hassan is truly great he will inevitably earn the money he deserves w/ the accomplishments he achieves, not as an individual but how he makes his team better and how far he takes them.

I don't understand. He's a 26 year old basket ball player who has about a 5 year window to cash in big. He's not an all time great and never will be. He could care less about chasing titles. Most guys don't unless they have GOAT level expectations coming into league.

You have a very romanticized view of how these guys think and its really off base. The reality isn't like that at all.

Ethan once said in response to people getting mad about Heat players still being friendly with LeBron that this is the mind of the modern NBA player.

1. Themsleves
2. Their family


3. Other players(even on other teams)








4. Organization and ownership
















5. Us fans

When Hassan thinks of the Heat he doesn't think about you or me or Spo or the Owners. He thinks of TJ, J. Rich, Deng, Justise, Bosh, and Wade. Friends that he's made during his time here who won't stop being his friends just because he signs else where.

This notion of loyalty and honor or whatever you're talking about, it doesn't exist. If this time next year Hassan signs the max with LA he'll still be tight with the guys that he met when he was here. Nothing else matters. He's going to make the decision thats best for him. It really is that simple.

This is why I am not a fan anymore.

[pirate_pr]

Bulls shopping Gasol and CB going to be out a while would offer Hassan for Gasol. i love Hassan but he is inconsistent offensively and has maturity issues. Team defense is better also when he is not on the floor.

[DWadeno3]

There is nothing old school about making dumb financial decisions.

If you're good at digging ditches and your employer only wants you to dig ditches that's all you'll ever do and ever be. You've got to make your own opportunities and nit sit and wait for someone else to decide for you.

I wish him the best whether it's here or not. The possibility of setting yourself up for life by playing a game? That's worth a lot more than giving Heat3 on realgm another parade to watch on tv.

Given the limited time window you have as an athlete, one that is even more limited for Hassan who will probably sign one large long-term deal and adding the high injury risk factor to it, I wouldn't decide differently. Thus I can only echo the post I'm quoting.

It's always easy to have a moral high ground on a topic when it's not affecting one's own life. But for the average NBA player, the opportunity to secure their financial future has to be taken when the opportunity presents itself.

If we don't offer Hassan the highest salary, and I could understand if we don't, and he decides to head elsewhere for a better financial offer, then I can fully understand him. The only way one could scratch their heads is if the offer from a rivaling team doesn't beat ours by much. In that case, I'd remain with the more stabile organization rather than play let's say for the Kings. But again, it all depends on the difference in salaries.

[Hallstar]

and this is why the new generation are spoiled. Back in the day greats worked for their checks. This personifies the mind state of some of the new generation.

If Hassan is truly great he will inevitably earn the money he deserves w/ the accomplishments he achieves, not as an individual but how he makes his team better and how far he takes them.

I don't understand. He's a 26 year old basket ball player who has about a 5 year window to cash in big. He's not an all time great and never will be. He could care less about chasing titles. Most guys don't unless they have GOAT level expectations coming into league.

You have a very romanticized view of how these guys think and its really off base. The reality isn't like that at all.

Ethan once said in response to people getting mad about Heat players still being friendly with LeBron that this is the mind of the modern NBA player.

1. Themsleves
2. Their family


3. Other players(even on other teams)








4. Organization and ownership
















5. Us fans

When Hassan thinks of the Heat he doesn't think about you or me or Spo or the Owners. He thinks of TJ, J. Rich, Deng, Justise, Bosh, and Wade. Friends that he's made during his time here who won't stop being his friends just because he signs else where.

This notion of loyalty and honor or whatever you're talking about, it doesn't exist. If this time next year Hassan signs the max with LA he'll still be tight with the guys that he met when he was here. Nothing else matters. He's going to make the decision thats best for him. It really is that simple.

This is why I am not a fan anymore.

You can get traded at any moment. Unless you're a long established Franchise level talent and hopefully with a no trade clause, putting a franchise above yourself is a dumb move

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[Hallstar]

Hell, the Morris twins were "loyal" to Phoenix

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[EscapoTHB]

Q: Ira, I get so infuriated with all the blind Hassan Whiteside support. I think these fans don’t understand the game of basketball. Basketball is so much more than rebounds and block shots and making shots, for that matter. Basketball is about trust and team and knowing that the guy next to you is a professional and will make the right play at the right time and think team first. And I'm not talking about the elbow he threw; that's the least of my concern. I'm talking about the many times he takes plays or even games off, because he is upset he isn’t getting enough minutes, or the ball wasn't passed to him when he had position in the low block. -- Yunasi, Miami Beach.


A: And you know what you do with players like that? You cultivate and rehabilitate and mentor. I'm just confounded by this mindset seemingly of, "Well, we'll just go out and get another Whiteside." Has everyone suddenly forgotten about how long it took the Heat to find another center after Alonzo Mourning was done? Are you truly willing to punt on this and head back the Joel Anthony path?

Great points here!!!!

why whiteside being here is vital for his career rather than chasing money on a team that will feed his entitlement mentality. Money will come via endorsements once he starts winning championships. it all really depends on what is most important to the kid.

I've seen nothing to indicate that the Heat are the best team for him. Small ball coach, and sniping veterans mixed with an impatient front office and fanbase. Which whatever. I'm a heat fan and I just want the best for the team, whether that's with Whiteside or not--but I've yet to see us develop anything on him. He's the exact same player we got from the D-league. And there seems to be no patience for developing his game in-game. I mean we can't even teach him how to set a damn screen! Plus how effective can he really be on a team with no 3 point shooting and only one guy who can throw a lob to save his life?

I also am not sure that publically calling Hassan out has been the best approach for such an insecure player in a contract year. I think we're forcing him to retreat into a shell, because he's not seeing much veteran support.

[3ballbomber]

I also am not sure that publically calling Hassan out has been the best approach for such an insecure player in a contract year. I think we're forcing him to retreat into a shell, because he's not seeing much veteran support.

you are just reinforcing how soft todays league is. Suck it up, take the hits and be a man.