Hassan Whiteside Chasing More NBA 2K15 Love

The Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside has been playing the best basketball of his career over the last month. The hardcore video game fan who happens to love NBA 2K15 has already seen his rating jump from 59 to 77 in the game, and he's earned the Eraser signature skill for his shot-blocking prowess.

Still, the 25-year-old 7-footer wants more. After receiving the initial ratings boost, Whiteside reached out to NBA 2K social media manager Ronnie Singh, aka Ronnie 2K, about his improving mid-range jumper and ability to catch the lob pass.

Whiteside is referring to the NBA 2K15 ratings for standing and moving mid-range shot as well as the alley-oop tendency rating. Yes, the kid is hardcore, and if you couldn't tell, so am I. Some might criticize Whiteside's obsession with a video game, but it surely hasn't affected the way he's played lately.

Since Jan. 3, Whiteside is averaging 13.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocked shots. Had he been getting the same minutes throughout the entire season, he would have been up for consideration on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

If that's the impact playing an inordinate amount of NBA 2K15 has on a player's game, there should be a line of 7-footers at every GameStop.

Credit: Image from NBA 2K15 provided by 2K Sports

In the most recent NBA 2K15 player ratings, Whiteside has marks of 39 and 40 in standing shot mid-range and moving shot mid-range, respectively. Considering the scale for ratings runs from 25 to 99, he's got a lot of room for improvement.

Perhaps he'll have to gain some pointers from teammate Chris Bosh—one of the better shooting big men in the NBA—if he wants to see those numbers rise. It'll be tough, but it might not be smart to doubt Whiteside.

If you asked gamers/NBA 2K fans which player would be most likely to see his overall rating jump 18 points, not many people would've guessed it would be Whiteside. At this pace, he'll be giving the Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green a run for their money in the chase for the NBA's Most Improved Player award.

Somehow if he doesn't win the hardware from the league, it seems Whiteside might be content with seeing his overall rating in the game crack 80. Stay tuned.

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