Whiteside accepting of backup role with Heat

Unlike a drama-filled 2017-18 season, Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside has accepted being a backup without objecting, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.

The Heat big man did not start Monday night for the first time since he signed a four-year, $98 million deal with Miami in July 2016. Having missed the Heat's previous three games with an injured hip, Whiteside has not been told how long he will remain in a reserve role.

“I came off a 29, 11 game, got hurt. This is what [coach Erik Spoelstra] wants to go with,” Whiteside told Jackson. “Can’t do nothing [but] just accept [it] and come out and dominate.”

Last season, Whiteside was anything but comfortable with how his minutes were slashed and wasn't shy about expressing it. Whiteside has a $27 million player option on the books for next season.

“I’m going to keep coming in and try to play the best I can out there,” he said. “It’s going to be a different unit out there. I get to play with (Dwyane Wade) more. I get to look at the bright side. You’re going to play against the backup guys. It’s a little different. You can read the game a little more, kind of see what’s going on, who’s hot, what kind of schemes they’re going with. It gives you some advantages.”