Whiteside dealing with franchise-player expectations

MIAMI — Heat center Hassan Whiteside is realizing expectations increase with salary.

Whiteside, whose production was once considered a bonus, now is expected to produce on a nightly basis. After scoring 12 points on 4 of 11 shooting in a loss Tuesday to Oklahoma City, Whiteside figured he would receive a fair share of criticism.

“I think people get used to seeing the big numbers,” Whiteside said. “When I don’t have big numbers, it’s like a big deal.”

A former Development League player and 10-day contract sensation, Whiteside signed a four-year, $98 million deal in the offseason. He is dealing with the adjustment of going from an unknown player to the face of the franchise.

When things aren’t going as expected, Whiteside receives most of the criticism.

“Not having the guys here is tougher than I expected,” Whiteside said. “I really felt like I was never really overlooked. I think my first year I was probably overlooked when I first came in the league. I put up big numbers last year.”

Although Whiteside is leading the league in rebounds and averaging 17.8 points, he is still dealing with inconsistent play. After averaging 26 points and 15 rebounds against the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, Whiteside has scored just 22 points total on 8 of 21 shooting the past two games.

“I’m not as frustrated as I used to be,” Whiteside said. “I’m taking it as a learning experience.” practice Wednesday.

“I’m feeling a little better,” Dragic said. “I was running but not full speed. It’s feels good. Hopefully, the back will react nicely.”

Dragic said he initially suffered the injury last week against the Orlando Magic. He then aggravated it three days later against the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I went to Eurostep, and I just tweaked it,” Dragic said. “I couldn’t bend [over] yesterday. I’m here early trying to do treatment every day. It’s getting better. I don’t know because the back — you don’t know how it’s going to react. I feel fine now. I still didn’t do full speed, so that’s going to worry me.”

The setback occurred at the worst of times. He was arguably in the middle of his best stretch in Miami since being acquired at the trade deadline in February 2015.

“I want to be there every night helping my team,’ Dragic said. “Nobody wants to sit out and watch the game. I’m a professional. I want to play. Sometimes, injuries happen. You have to be careful.”