Q: It's going to be a long year. I don't believe I've ever seen a Heat player as disinterested as Hassan Whiteside. His stats are empty. I hope down the line he becomes a valuable trade chip. -- Juan

A: If Hassan becomes a valuable trade chip it means he will become valued by the Heat as a leader. I believe Hassan's heart is in the right place, but NBA basketball is hard. And NBA basketball in the paint can be really hard. But it also is an area on the floor where heart and hustle can take you a long way. And that's the thing with Hassan, he is both beloved by fans and well-paid by the Heat because of his epic bursts. But now he is in a different place than during his first two seasons with the Heat. He is in a place where he was the Chosen One ahead of Dwyane Wade in last summer's free agency. And that means being an every-night contributor, even when it is difficult. When the going got tough Saturday night, the Heat needed Whiteside to get going. He didn't. So he was summoned to the bench, as it only got worse.