A: I've been waiting for this one since the victory over the Pacers, even as the Heat continue to have issues with opponents scoring in the paint. So perhaps we first should wait until Wednesday, when the Spurs arrive with LaMarcus Aldridge and Paul Gasol and a pedigree decidedly higher than the first three opponents the Heat have played this season. Then again, perhaps if the Heat had Hassan then those large leads would have stayed large leads, with someone to provide point-blank relief baskets. It was, after all, Hassan who attempted to lead the Heat back late in the loss in Orlando. As with most injury absences, it's not a case if a team is better with a leading player out, only that most teams have enough diversity to play multiple styles based on personnel. If the Heat are not comfortable with Hassan as a focus, then that certainly was a curious way to spend $98 million. If he was available against the Hawks on Monday night, perhaps when the 3-pointers stopped falling the Heat could have looked into the post. I still take issue with how the Heat seemingly ignore Hassan in the post at times, but I do know it is comforting to have that option. To succeed in the NBA, you have to be a complete team. And Whiteside in the lineup makes the Heat closer to whole.