Whiteside’s frustration
Heat center explains why he lashed out with expletive on social media
HOUSTON — A day earlier, Hassan Whiteside had lashed out angrily on social media. Tuesday, prior to sitting out a sixth consecutive game with what the Miami Heat are listing as as trained left hip, White side invoked the name of Jesus while discussing his Ins tag ram temperament.
Following the publication of another analytical story about how his defensive abilities might not translate into optimal results for the Heat, Whiteside on Monday posted an Instagram comment that included a vulgarity.
His posted reply was: “What is the reason to post dum s--- like this? The heat change the whole offense after the Wizards game. I just happened to be hurt now. We on a run. Not our first. Not our last. Be happy we went on 3 3-0 runs while I played... Be happy to have both PGs back.”
Tuesday, before the Heat faced the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, Whiteside explained his frustration.
“Just when people tell half the story,” Whiteside said of his initial ire. “I know you’ all have been big on my defensive rating when I’m on the court. It was a lot better in January. And just when people tell half the story ... tell the truth. If you’re going to tell a story, tell it right.”
But Whiteside also acknowledged he may have crossed a line.
“I’ve got to do a better job of just leaving that alone,” he said. “I’m always going to be criticized. Nobody is not criticized. Jesus is criticized and there’s nobody above that. So there’s always going to be people saying negative things toward you.”
The Heat went into Tuesday’s game on a four-game winning streak in Whiteside’s absence.
“It’s frustrating sometimes, because I take pride in defense and for somebody to say that I’m making the team worse withmy defense, it don’t make sense,” he said. “That’s kind of why I just had to say something. A lot of people don’t tell the whole story.”
A little more than a year ago, such a social-media comment from Whiteside largely would have gone unnoticed. Now Whiteside’s social-media accounts, from Twitter to Instagram to Snapchat, draw extensive scrutiny amid the center’s breakout performances.
“I guess it’s the shot blocking,” he said of drawing such inspective for a player in only his first full season as an NBA starter .“When you block a lot of shots, I guess it draws a lot of attention and people try to nitpick at your game. I feel like it’s a lot more this year than itwas last year, and a lot of people are trying to find the negative in your game.”
Heat tri-captain Dwyane Wade said it is important to consider the implications before responding on social media.
“I’ve responded to a couple and I’ve seen them respond back like, ‘Oh man, I didn’t mean it,’” he said. “They just wanted attention.
“People want to get noticed. So sometimes they feel like getting noticed is saying negative things, even if they don’t mean it, they just want to get noticed. And I’ve noticed that, too.”
Whiteside said his ultimate focus is getting back into the lineup.
“I’m feeling better. Each day I’m getting better,” hesaid, working a fullcourt two-on-two session after Tuesday’s Heat shootaround on the Rockets’ practice court. “I’m getting more confident that I can be the Hassan you all know.”
The Heat next play Wednesday in Dallas on the second night of this back-to-back set. The Heat then close the three-game trip Friday near Whiteside’s hometown, against the Charlotte-Hornets.
“I’m going to see how I feel that day,” he said.
Asked what still is lacking, he said, “Just the explosiveness. I’ve got a lot of athleticism to my game, so that’s probably the only thing. I’m feeling better with the twisting and with pain and stuff.”
He said conditioning should not been a factor upon his return, having been sidelined since crumpling to the court in the Jan. 20 road loss to the Washington Wizards.
“I feel like I’ve maintained it good,” he said. “The Heat organization has done a really good job of just making sure that when you come off an injury that you can jump back into it. And I was in pretty good shape. It hasn’t been that long.”