Miami

Heat's Whiteside Named Player Of The Week

Hassan Whiteside was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday.

Whiteside had never previously been named Player of the Week, but plenty of Heat players have overall. This is the 55th time in franchise history, that a Heat player has taken home the honor. The week of play included games that took place between March 13-19.

During the past week, the Heat continued their playoff push with a 2-1 record. A big reason for that push has been Whiteside. All season long, the center has made double-doubles look easy and he did just that during the week as well. Whiteside averaged 20 points, 13.7 rebounds and 2.67 blocks per game in the three games. In addition, Whiteside was highly efficient and made 73 percent of his shot attempts.

With Dion Waiters out of action, Whiteside's importance to the team will only become more evident. Waiters was a Player of the Week earlier this season as well, and his loss was already noticeable in Miami's loss on Sunday. Whiteside along with Goran Dragic will need to do more in the absence of Waiters. Having a threat like Waiters on the court, opened up Whiteside's game that much more.

Whiteside currently has 922 rebounds this season, and the Heat record for a season is 934. It is concievable that Whiteside could pass the franchise mark in Miami's next game. Barring an injury or unforeseen circumstances, Whiteside should own that record in the near future regardless.

The Heat will try to return to a playoff position on Tuesday when they host the Phoenix Suns.

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