A: That was the unknown when the Heat extended that four-year, $98 million contract in July and remains an unknown now. Does Hassan have enough in him to take over a game? Not like last year, when he could play off the skills of others, to get his while the defense was concerned about the likes of Dwyane Wade or even Chris Bosh. But at times like this, when he is the focus? Hassan already has spoken about how he is getting swarmed in the paint, as if anything less could have been expected. You can see that type of fire from Justise Winslow, even when his shot is not falling, considering the way he stood up to Dwyane Wade on Thursday night. And even at times from Dion Waiters. But with Whiteside there still are too many opposing center getting theirs while Hassan gets his, like Robin Lopez during the first half on Thursday night. But then you glance at the stats monitor and there are numbers from Whiteside like Thursday's. No, I don't think Hassan ever will be a leading man, because he has no definitive offense. But I think he can be a team's most essential player, which is why the contract was offered, and why there are games like Thursday night. Still, there has to be more than two points and two rebounds in the final 7:34 of the fourth quarter, as was the case Thursday.