Pat Riley Says There Has to Be An Intervention Between Hassan Whiteside and Erik Spoelstra

Pat Riley says he'll be the "intervener" if there has to be an intervention with Hassan Whiteside and coach Erik Spoelstra.

Apr 30, 2018
This is a picture of Hassan Whiteside.
Getty

Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images

This is a picture of Hassan Whiteside.
Getty

Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images

Despite signing a $98 million deal back in the 2016 offseason, Miami center Hassan Whiteside didn't get a whole lot of playing time during the Heat's first-round series (which saw them eliminated in five games against the 76ers). And after the team was bumped, he voiced his displeasure about his minor postseason role.

Hassan Whiteside clearly frustrated he only got to play 10 minutes in Game 5: "At least give me a chance to fight. I can understand if I was playing 30 minutes and I played bad. At least give me a chance."

— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) April 25, 2018

Hassan again makes clear he is unhappy about playing time, plans to talk to Heat officials about future.

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) April 25, 2018

Dwyane Wade calls on Hassan Whiteside not to make excuses about this series. He pleads with him to work hard this summer and come back strong for next season. "Hopefully he gets motivated from this series." Seems to be genuinely rooting for Whiteside to get it right.

— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) April 25, 2018

Because of this tension (which came up at points during the regular season too) team president Pat Riley is looking to stage an intervention between his unhappy big-man, and coach Erik Spoelstra. Riley announced as much during Monday's end-of-season news conference with the media, while also saying Whiteside will have to alter his playing style:

Riley, asked about Whiteside/Spo relationship: "There has been to be an intervention. I am going to be the interveener... There's no doubt he was in a bad state in the playoffs. I'm not going to give him any kind of excuse [but] the season started with an injury."

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) April 30, 2018

Riley: "I have the same problem with Hassan. He's going to have to do something to change because he's a hell of a player." (Spoke of way centers are asked to play in today's NBA) "How can he make himself effective?"

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) April 30, 2018

According to team beat writer Ira Winderman, Riley also said Whiteside didn't have great conditioning during the playoffs:

Riley on Whiteside, "If there has to be an intervention, I'm going to be the intervener."

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 30, 2018

Riley says Whiteside was not in great shape for playoffs.

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 30, 2018

Riley says Whiteside was not in great shape for playoffs.

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 30, 2018

Riley on Whiteside in Game 5, "I would have taken him out of that game, too."

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 30, 2018

Those comments would make it appear that he's siding with his coach, at the moment.

NBAErik SpoelstraPat RileyMiami HeatHassan WhitesideNews

Latest in Sports