Whiteside likes numbers, not votes and favoritism

MIAMI — In case anyone forgets about his ability to amass league-leading numbers, Hassan Whiteside broke out his NBA rebounding trophy on Snapchat, with a vow that more hardware would follow.

Offering a rare glimpse at how the NBA honors players who lead the league in major statistical categories, the social-media-conscious Miami Heat center posted a video of his award for leading the league last season in rebounding.

“Appreciate it, NBA. There are my favorite awards to win,” Whiteside said while holding the glass engraved award that denotes him as a 2017-18 NBA Rebounding Champion, having received the engraving Monday. “It’s not about votes. It’s not about favoritism.”

Whiteside has frequently chastised the electorate for both the All-Star Game and the league’s media-selected postseason awards, still without an All-Star berth or Defensive Player of the Year Award despite these past three breakout seasons. AllStars are selected by fans, players, media and coaches, while the NBA postseason awards are selected mostly by the media.

“It’s just about numbers and results,” he said of the trophy received from the league. “You know, you led the NBA in rebounding. Last year [2015-16], was blocks. I’m going to get another block one. But last year’s team needed more rebounding.”

As for the next step for himself and the Heat, Whiteside said: “I don’t know what they’re going to need. They might need more steals. I’m definitely going to get another shot-blocking one. It’s in my room right now. I’m gonna give him a twin.”

With that, Whiteside posted video of his rebounding and blocked-shot awards side by side, noting the rarity of leading the NBA in different categories in successive seasons.

“And with that, I joined Chris Paul and Dwight Howard as the only NBA players in history to lead the NBA in two different categories,” he boasted. “The haters can say what they want. “You can’t vote numbers.” Laughter followed, with Whiteside then posting video of a mosquito he killed, asking, “Was my leg worth dying for?”

Votes received

While the Heat’s selection of Bam Adebayo was not viewed as league altering in the NBA’s annual rookie survey, the Kentucky big man did merit two mentions in the voting of 39 players polled at the league’s recent rookie photo shoot.

To the question of, “Which rookie is the best defender?,” Adebayo was among the “others receiving votes” behind, in order, Josh Jackson, Jordan Bell, Donovan Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox and former University of Miami guard Davon Reed.

To the question of, “Which rookie is most athletic?,” Adebayo also was listed among “others receiving votes,” behind a sevenplayer group led by Dennis

Smith Jr., the Dallas Mavericks first-round pick out of North Carolina State.

Tryout time

The Heat’s developmental-league affiliate, the GLeague Sioux Falls Skyforce, will host tryout in South Florida on Sept. 10, as well as tryout in Sioux Falls on Sept 16.

The tryouts will come in front of Skyforce coaches and Heat officials, with a potential invitation to the Skyforce’s training camp in October.

The Miami tryout will be Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ransom Everglades High School, with an 8 a.m. checkin. There is a $150 pre-registration fee, with a Sept. 8, registration deadline.

The Sioux Falls tryout with be Sept. 16 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the team’s home arena, the Sanford Pentagon, with an 11:30 a.m. check-in. That tryout also requires a $150 preregistration fee, with a Sept. 14 registration deadline.

Applicants must be eligible to play in the NBA GLeague and are required to pre-register by submitting the registration, release, and health information authorization forms along with the nonrefundable fee. Tryout forms are available online (skyforceonline.com) or at the Skyforce office (2131 S. Minnesota Ave. in Sioux Falls).