Whiteside sought Bill Russell's teachings, must take this 1 to heart
Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside knows how unique a talent he is. He let everybody know that last month after he produced his second of now three points-rebounds-blocks triple-doubles on the season: "Ain't nobody doing it with blocks."
Ain't no doubt about it.
But Whiteside also has to know how many of millions of dollars he's potentially costing himself with sophomoric antics such as Tuesday's foolish elbow tossing that earned him a flagrant 2 foul, an ejection and suspension.
Not only that, Heat coach Erick Spoelstra took the unusual step of telling Whiteside to scram, immediately. Spoelstra didn't want him anywhere around. Whiteside's veteran teammates, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, were again left to lament the big man's unfortunate immaturity, just as he should be all grown up by now at age 26, just as he's on the cusp of striking it rich this summer as an unrestricted free agent.
There's a reason why Whiteside's salary this season is less than $1 million when the league average is nearly $4.5 million.
There's no debate about the value Whiteside's obvious physical talent. His presence in the paint changes how opponents attack the Heat. He's averaging 12.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.9 blocks a game. No player has averaged at least 4.0 blocks a game since Dikembo Mutombo did 20 years ago. Recently, Whiteside posted on his Twitter account a quote from Hall of Famer Bill Russell about the true art of being a shot blocker:
A wise man once said pic.twitter.com/h1GCwQZr2x
— Hassan Whiteside (@youngwhiteside) February 6, 2016
It's easy to find Russell's great sayings. Just Google "Bill Russell quotes," click on the first entry and that very Russell quote that Whiteside tweeted is the second one on the very first line.
But it's the first Russell quote on that first line that Whiteside should concern himself with most if he plans on not wasting a career that is finally burgeoning:
Attaining greatness in the NBA takes more than physical prowess. For Whiteside's sake, let's hope he starts taking to heart all of Bill Russell's teachings.
