Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has conceded that he was “very disappointed” in Hassan Whiteside following his ejection against the Boston Celtics.
READ MORE:
Scott urged Kobe to attend game: Lakers coach wanted veteran around team.
Butler reveals what Bulls need: Guard has key to being a playoff threat.
Knicks could re-sign Bargnani: Jackson has reportedly been impressed by Italian.
Whiteside has been a revelation for the Heat this season, forming a vital part of the team in the front-court and helping them towards securing a playoff spot.
However, his temperament is being brought into question more often as he has now been ejected twice in just one week, with his latest indiscretion earning him a one-game suspension from the NBA.
The 25-year-old is averaging 11 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game this year, and as important as he can be, it is widely acknowledged that he can’t continue to be a liability to the team with his lack of discipline.
Whiteside was ejected from the Boston Celtics game on Monday after an unnecessary lashing out at Kelly Olynyk, and Wade was left far from impressed when asked if he was disappointed with his teammate.
“Very. We all are. As a Heat fan you are. In this locker room we are. Everybody. He’s gonna have to learn and he’s gonna learn the hard way. He’s doing it his own way. Hopefully he changes his mentality pretty quick,” he told the Miami Herald.
“He’s had enough veteran advice. There comes a time where you have to do it yourself. There’s only so many words people can continue to say to you. You gotta do it. Not for you, you got to do it for the other guys you see in here sacrificing — that you see out there playing hurt and all the things you see going on. You’re part of a team. You’re part of an organization.
“We all have our moments, selfish moments, but you can’t continue to keep having them because you got to be reliable, and you got to be able to be counted on. And right now, if he continues to act that way, then he’s not reliable.”
It remains to be seen whether or not Whiteside takes on Wade’s words and learns from his mistakes, but if he wants to continue to play a key role then he will need to.
COMMENTS