Have we given up on Hassan Whiteside
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KingsCitizen
Starter
I don't think so. We won't build that body and hire a big man coach for nothing. Hassan has been learning nicely under Mr. Ray. Hassan is one full season away to being a regular rotation player. Once he gets there, he'll a really nice piece together or as a back-up of DMC.
roasthawg
Starter
Hassan is gonna breakthrough soon. He was the #1 ranked shotblocker in the NBA last year in blks per 40 minutes in his limited playing time at 5.5 per 40... just ahead of Ibaka at 5.4. He also took down 14.3 boards per 40 during those few minutes that he played. This guy is on the verge... he has the skills we all want. He's a once every 5 years type of shot blocker. He's also a good rebounder. His time is coming... soon!
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Um...given up on him? Did I miss something? Were we ever counting on him?
What exactly are people expecting here? That a guy who averaged 1.4ppg last season is suddenly going to be given the keys to the kingdom and elevated to starting PF? I mean why not right?
Hassan should be back as a 5th big again. If he's back as a 4th that unfortunately means we've either failed to get our shotblocker or failed to retain JT, both of which leave us shorthanded up front again. If he plays well enough it would be really lovely if he could pass up Chuck. He would have to play fantastic to pass up JT or a new shotblocker. In any case there is absolutely no reason for us to either "give up on him" or to elevate him. He should be back. No reason for him not to be. Anything more either way is unrealistic until he shows it on the court.
What exactly are people expecting here? That a guy who averaged 1.4ppg last season is suddenly going to be given the keys to the kingdom and elevated to starting PF? I mean why not right?
Hassan should be back as a 5th big again. If he's back as a 4th that unfortunately means we've either failed to get our shotblocker or failed to retain JT, both of which leave us shorthanded up front again. If he plays well enough it would be really lovely if he could pass up Chuck. He would have to play fantastic to pass up JT or a new shotblocker. In any case there is absolutely no reason for us to either "give up on him" or to elevate him. He should be back. No reason for him not to be. Anything more either way is unrealistic until he shows it on the court.
If he is ever given a chance to play I see him as our 3rd big taking chucks minutes behind Cousins and JT. He has the potential to be very good and he obviously wants to work if you look what he did to his body after being drafted we just need to get him a teacher and get him working next to talent to learn. maybe we have that now maybe not maybe we let him walk in 2 years without giving him a chance maybe not. He has made progress and only gametime can allow a player to show what they can do or not do.
I love Hassan and I love reading his twitter. He's also got so much more potential than Drummond, and is a better player right now. I gush whenever I watch him play because he changes the game like only a true center can.
You are one strange character.
Hassan Whiteside looks like an ideal compliment to DMC. He's long and athletic, blocks shots and rebounds (especially offensively), runs the floor well, has good form on his midrange shot, has the length and athleticism to step out and guard mobile PFs, has enough strength to not get dominated in the low block and could grow to be an ideal weakside defender.
Ideally I'd wish that he had an edge or enforcers mentality (ala Charles Oakley) and was a good passer but otherwise on paper he checks pretty much every box.
But when you actually watch him play you see the reality of things - he's just not ready to contribute. He is passive on defense other than shotblocking and lets his man easily establish position. Worse, he's got poor awareness for defensive rotations. And on offense he looks tentative and lost. There's a reason he had 10 assists in 34 games in his one year at Marshall. Because he doesn't really know what to do with the ball when he gets it other than shoot.
Have we given up on Whiteside? I would certainly hope not. He's a 23 year old seven foot with tantalizing potential/tools who counts less than $800,000 against the cap. He's no risk and all reward if he contributes at all this season.
And don't get me wrong, I absolutely hope he does. I hope he's a revelation. But I'm not counting on it.
Ideally I'd wish that he had an edge or enforcers mentality (ala Charles Oakley) and was a good passer but otherwise on paper he checks pretty much every box.
But when you actually watch him play you see the reality of things - he's just not ready to contribute. He is passive on defense other than shotblocking and lets his man easily establish position. Worse, he's got poor awareness for defensive rotations. And on offense he looks tentative and lost. There's a reason he had 10 assists in 34 games in his one year at Marshall. Because he doesn't really know what to do with the ball when he gets it other than shoot.
Have we given up on Whiteside? I would certainly hope not. He's a 23 year old seven foot with tantalizing potential/tools who counts less than $800,000 against the cap. He's no risk and all reward if he contributes at all this season.
And don't get me wrong, I absolutely hope he does. I hope he's a revelation. But I'm not counting on it.
lwc
Starter
Well said. If for some reason the Kings played man-man defense and he understood that his role was to be a rim protector he would be excellent. However straight man-man defense is a thing of the past with todays game being so focused on driving to the basket that knowing how to rotate is pivotal.
I do not blame Geoff for drafting him, a shot blocker is almost a necessity in todays game and he was a 2nd round pick. Salary is too low to give up on him.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
Whiteside is a cautionary tale about falling in love with a guy who is long and blocks shots. I'm very glad that we got him as a second rounder rather than the 5th pick in the draft.
Just like the other young players on the team, Kings management and coaches need to do everything possible to improve his game.
Just like the other young players on the team, Kings management and coaches need to do everything possible to improve his game.
Uncia03
Starter
Agree with this assessment.
I was very happy that Whiteside was available for us in the 2nd round. He was considered a project when we drafted him and he lost the entire 1st season due to injury.
He could potentially bring all the elements we need for a starting big-man next to Cousins, but it is going to require a lot of work for him and things need to 'click' for him in terms of playing team offense and team defense.
I think you need to build your roster with the expectation that he isn't going to develop into a starter, but continue to work with him to develop his game with being a 25+ minute contributor the goal.
I don't think the organization has given up on Hassan at all -- but Geoff isn't going to stop looking for another interior defender either. Any production we get from him is a bonus at this point. Maybe that will change this season -- hopefully he gets a regular role in the rotation. He looked pretty good in limited minutes at the end of the season. We won't really know what the organization thinks of him long-term until his contract is up and they have to make a decision on re-signing him. He's got two more seasons to prove himself before then.
If it's a cautionary tale for anything, it's to temper your expectations for a prospect like Andre Drummond who will come in with a similar level of experience and a long ways to go before he's ready to be a full-time player on an NBA team.
If it's a cautionary tale for anything, it's to temper your expectations for a prospect like Andre Drummond who will come in with a similar level of experience and a long ways to go before he's ready to be a full-time player on an NBA team.
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