3ballbomber wrote:Q: I wasn't surprised Hassan Whiteside didn't get Defensive Player of the Year. Yes, he can block shots and rebound. He has the angles but defending an opponent straight up, I don't think he's that good. Al Jefferson was schooling him in Game 1 and that's why Shaquille O'Neal said don't fall for the fake, just wait until he goes up and meet him at the rim. What do you think? -- Carl, Kapaa, Hawaii.
A: First, this notion of Hassan somehow being snubbed is absurd. He finished third, ahead of all centers, which bodes well for getting the notice he seeks when the All-Defensive teams are named. Like Defensive Player of the Year, the All-Defensive teams are voted upon by the media (although not all voters for the two honors are the same). As for Jefferson, don't understate Al as a post scorer. He is one of the best in the league. I still believe Steve Clifford should start Jefferson in a bid to get Whiteside into early foul trouble. That said, except for those two fouls against Al, Whiteside more than held his own in that matchup in Game 1. The concern here is that Hassan allows the Defensive Player vote to impact his play in Game 2 and starts going to block every shot, biting on the very pump fakes that Shaq cited.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/heat-blog/sfl-miami-heat-ask-ira-hassan-whiteside-s041916-story.htmlIt will be interesting how Hassan chooses to handle his obvious agitation.
Wade has been overshadowed, overlooked & underrated his whole career......what did he do? Take his Heat to the NBA finals in 06 & took out the Mavs. Then in 09 season came out angry because of the very doubters that drove him to want to prove everybody wrong. He scorched the entire league & won league scoring champ. He should have been league mvp too. Whiteside needs to do the same. Button up his lips & go destroy the league w/ that same motivation derived from that anger that drove Wade.
You know what's better than individual accolades? an NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!
I posted this in the Hassan Road to the Max thread before the Playoffs begin:
Dear Hassan,
Do you want to be an All-Star or do you want to be a legend? There are 30+ All-Stars every year, many we forget about. But legends we never forget. This is your time to cement yourself in history and in memories forever. Be a LEGEND.
Good luck in the Playoffs, we are all rooting for you.
Heat Nation
In 05 D-Wade became a legend by winning a ring, it's Hassan's time. I am so excited about the future.
If we make it to the finals and Hassan wins MVP, thats better than a DPY!
