Whiteside regreting comments that led to fine by Heat

Miami Heat centre Hassan Whiteside regrets his comments about displeasure with his role in game last weekend against the Brooklyn Nets.

“I was just frustrated,” Whiteside said after Monday’s practice, his first public comments since his rant Saturday night after not playing the final 21 minutes of a 110-109 overtime loss. “I was frustrated that we lost. I really wanted to get that game.”

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra also addressed the comments by Miami’s seven- foot centre – and highest-paid player on the roster, saying he was disappointed Whiteside elected to publicly express his frustration.

“Guys want to throw a few eggs after the game or T.P. my house, that’s actually a better way to deal with it than speaking to (the media) about the frustrations,” Spoelstra said.

Whiteside’s comments after the game included questioning Spoelstra’s decision to play small instead of going big.

“Man, it’s annoying, you know. Why we matching up? We got one of the best centres in the league,” Whiteside said Saturday night. “Why we matching up? A lot of teams don’t have a good centre.”

On Monday, he said he regretted his comments.

“I could have handled it different,” Whiteside said, “but I was so caught up and wanted to get that win. I get real competitive. I really want to be out there, but I just trust coach’s decision.”