MIAMI — Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra trusted his instincts and made the bold decision to bring blossoming big man Hassan Whiteside off the bench.
It could have been disastrous. With unrestricted free agency awaiting the 7-footer at season's end, a perceived demotion might have threatened his future earnings.
And if that's how he saw it, the Heat risked losing the backbone of their fifth-ranked defense and their emergency offensive outlet.
But that never happened. A player whose immaturity once forced him to travel the globe in search of a second NBA chance took the adjustment in stride.