Oh, baby! Whiteside’s back
Heat work to get center back into rotation after taking paternity leave
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In a season of never-ending adjustments now comes the biggest one for the Miami Heat: working center Hassan Whiteside back into the rotation.
Out the past four games for the birth of his first child, Whiteside is scheduled to return in Friday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the fifth stop on this season-longest six-game trip, at a time when fellow centers Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk have been playing some of their best ball.
Still, with the Heat 2-2 in Whiteside’s absence, it’s not as if the Heat can’t use the boost.
“I don’t know what it changes,” guard Dwyane Wade said. “But we’re bringing somebody back that averages three blocks a game, 14 rebounds a game and continues to give us more bodies as we continue to lose guys throughout the trip. So we get our guy back.”
Having missed seven games for paternity leave with the birth of his daughter last month, Wade said he appreciates what Whiteside has been through.
“We’re happy that he got a chance to be there for the birth of his son and I’m sure he’s going to come back with a lot of smiles because of the way he’s going to feel inside,” Wade said.
“Hopefully we can get him back into things.
“He’s been off for a while, so it’s going to take him a little time to get back into rhythm, get back into the game shape he needs to be in. But we’re happy to have our brother back.”