WHITESIDE FOR 3? COACH: WE’LL SEE
Spoelstra comfortable with 7-footer shooting, within certain parameters
Heat center Hassan Whiteside, right, HARLOTTE — he’s been working on it. When he’s spacing the court and in those kind of circumstances, I want guys growing their games.”
The 3-pointer against the Spurs came after a high volume of power play.
“At that point,” Spoelstra said, “he had already had 12 to 13 rebounds. He had four offensive rebounds, a bunch of impactful things in the paint. That’s not necessarily a reward for that, but he was playing to his strengths, to our identity, imposing his will in the paint — and then that shot presented itself. I’m totally fine with it.”
Whiteside said he appreciated what got him back into the league and fueled his four-year, $98 million contract. But he also believes he can grow his game, having made both of his 3-point shots last season, his only career conversions.
“I think it’s just a read,” he said. “I think it’s more so of a read. As the season goes along, I’m going to get better at it. I kind of look at what kind of guy I’m playing against. Like the DeAndre Jordans, [Rudy] Goberts, they are going to protect the rim more. So that flare three is going to be there a little more than against a guy that’s a lot smaller.”
The balance with Spoelstra is appreciating the balance.
“As long as he’s playing to his strengths and doing his job the way we need him to do his job,” he said, “I’m cool with him expanding his game in certain areas.”