Hassan Whiteside throws light on the state of Miami Heat when LeBron James left: “It was a gritty a** team”

Former Miami Heat star Hasan Whiteside talks about the Miami Heat after LeBron James left the team to join the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hassan Whiteside throws light on the state of Miami Heat when LeBron James left: “It was a gritty a** team”

Hasan Whiteside and LeBron James with the Miami Heat (image via NBA)

In 2010, LeBron James made one of the biggest moves in his career when he joined the Miami Heat. James, along with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, formed a super team in Miami. The additions of these players turned the Heat into one of the best teams in the league. Recently, former Miami Heat star Hasan Whiteside discussed his time with the Heat, and the aftereffects of LeBron’s departure from Miami.

Hasan Whiteside made a guest appearance on ‘The OGs’ podcast, where he joined his former Miami Heat teammate Udonis Haslem. Both former Heat stars discussed the team’s condition after LeBron James departed for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Whiteside revealed that the team struggled after James’ departure, facing a tough start to the season. He noted that the Heat had a poor record halfway through the season, with only 11 wins and 31 losses.

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Whiteside further stated that despite a bad start to the season, Miami was a gritty team with a winning mentality. He mentioned that once the Heat stars started to connect, they improved drastically and achieved a winning record in the second half of the season.

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You know a lot of people don't realize that team next year was a gritty a** team, we started from 11-31 and finished 31-11.
Hasan Whiteside via The OGs Podcast

The Heat have a reputation for their winning mentality and never-say-die attitude. Miami also has a knack for discovering hidden talent among the players who go undrafted. The Heat players live by the main motto of Heat Culture, which was initiated by Pat Riley. They are widely recognized as the hardest workers on the court.

Hasan Whiteside opens up on taking a pay cut for the Miami Heat

Since LeBron James has left the Miami Heat, the team has not yet managed to still win a championship. After the departure of King James, the Heat became one of the mediocre teams of the league. They desperately needed a big star on the team to have championship hopes.

During the same podcast, Hasan Whiteside talked about the potential star the Heat wanted to sign. Whiteside shared that the Heat was trying to get Kevin Durant. He mentioned that he had conversation with Heat president Pat Riley who was looking forward to acquiring Durant. Whiteside was further ready to volunteer to take a pay cut for the team to sign to KD.

I told Pat [Riley], I said, 'If KD comes, I take less money. It was more so about winning. We would have Goran, D-Wade, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh and then me at the five.
Hasan Whiteside via The OGs Podcast

If Durant would have joined the Heat, they would have become championship contenders immediately. KD would have easily filled the gap that was left after James’ departure. Kevin Durant eventually went on to play for the Golden State Warriors where he won two championships.

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