As a basketball fan, I see this often with NBA players, especially with the Miami Heat organization. Every year the Heat have issues with players complaining about minutes and lack of minutes during crunch time. I bring this up due to the fact I am getting fed up with some of the Heat’s players.
Hassan Whiteside
Let’s take a look at Hassan Whiteside of the Heat. Whiteside signed with the Heat in Nov. 2014 and two months later he had his first career double-double, posting 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks. The Heat also ended up winning the game against the Brooklyn Nets. Who will ever forget his famous line after blocking 12 shots ” I am just trying to get my ‘NBA 2k’ rating up” Let’s retract to that moment and celebrate his 12 blocks of the game? HeatNation was excited for the new addition to the Heat family.
The following year or so his fame and money got to his head. What an incredible career start with the Heat. HeatNation was ecstatic to have a Center who was dedicated to the game, his team, and his teammates. Whiteside made defense fun to watch again. He made the opposite team think about their offensive strategy when they faced the Heat. He became a phenomenon in the paint and helped the team with rebounds, and blocks.
Furthermore, the league caught up with Whiteside and he was no longer a threat to the league and the Heat opponents. Injuries came to an effect, as well as his bad attitude regarding his playing time. Whatever happened to earning the minutes and not complaining why I am not playing more? Players are becoming selfish, and not understanding what’s best for the team. There’s no such thing as given in life nor sports. You must earn playing time.
Let’s not forgot about Whiteside’s free fhrow percentage. His free throw percentage went down this season from 59.5 (Career) to 43.2% this year. But yet you have NBA players complain about playing time when their FT percentage is not even up to par.
Miami Heat
The concept behind this article is due to the Heat organization and the structure of the team. Erik Spoelstra, who is better known as ” Coach Spo”, has a fair structure to the minutes each player gets to play. He is more than fair with his players. His motto is” You have to earn your minutes” That implies to anyone in the team. It doesn’t matter if you are a superstar or not, he will start the players on their performance during practice and not the caliber of the popularity of the player.
As a result, I have seen two occasions where Heat players complain to the media, reporters, and coaching staff about the lack of minutes during crunch time. The latest victim is Dion Waiters complaining to the media that he is not playing enough. Waiters just came back from an extended injury. I can’t fathom the mindset of professional athletes and yet they have the audacity to complain about playing time. You must earn the minutes whether they like it or not or you won’t play. It’s that simple.
In the long run, Waiters got fined by the Heat for complaining. That goes to show you the character of these NBA players nowadays. Stay prepared, be prepared, and be ready when your number is called.
Spoelstra said dropping expletives to media complaining about playing time is not going to influence his decision-making with the lineup. Said Waiters will have to earn playing time like others have.
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) January 17, 2019
