I'm just bumping this thread from a few months ago. I still have the nagging suspicion that Whiteside is an underrated domino in next week's FA.
If you're Durant, how attractive do the Cs look with the current squad and coach, plus Whiteside, plus asset central?
My only argument over Whiteside versus Horford, is spacing versatility, Horford still an adequate defender, and have numerous playoff experience without the headcase issues. Horford would look and fit great next to Durant, and Whiteside could still arguably score over 70% with defenses focused on Durant.
I get that Whiteside isn't Bill Russell, but just making him into Larry Sanders is premature. Te Bulls got by just fine with Dennis Rodman.
As I stated at the beginning of this thread, can you imagine the match-up nightmares of Thomas, Durant, Whiteside, Brown and a spot up guy like Bradley? F U N spells fun!!!
Dennis Rodman was one of the best rebounders in league history and has much more in common with Bill Russell than Larry Sanders, so maybe not the best comparison.
My biggest concern with Whiteside is not that he is a miserable wretch that is going to destroy team chemistry or that he's going to totally quit once he gets his money, it's that he's just not that good a defender. He has all the physical tools to become one, but it worries me that he's 27 and he's not there yet. Sure he can block shots, but he's constantly out of position either chasing blocks or because he doesn't know where to be. His greatest strength, shot blocker (not rim protecting), can be neutralized by pulling him out of the paint either by switching or by playing a shooting big against him.
The counter to this is the "bbb-but, but, Brad Stevens can...", which I'm not buying. Miami has a really good coach and a great infrastructure, but they couldn't get him to totally buy in on defense. I don't think he's going get $90m and suddenly flip a switch to become a great team defender. I'm concerned that he is just selfish enough and just lazy enough to never full put it together, which is something that would be endlessly frustrating to a hardworking superstar like KD.