Trail Blazers' Hassan Whiteside Responds to Critics of Effort Level

Portland Trail Blazers center Hassan Whiteside responded to those who criticized his effort level.

Speaking after Thursday's 107-101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Whiteside said an NBA player "can't average a double-double and not give an effort."

The topic came up after Shaquille O'Neal said on TNT during halftime that Whiteside was playing "with no effort."

Charles Barkley added, "At least [Whiteside]'s consistent."

"He got that money in Miami [and] then packed it in," Barkley said. "The Blazers were stupid enough to take him."

This isn't a new criticism. The 30-year-old had to be counseled by Miami Heat captains Goran Dragic, James Johnson and Udonis Haslem in November 2017 when he was benched in the second half of a loss to the Golden State Warriors.

The Blazers acquired Whiteside in July as part of a four-team trade that involved the Heat, Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers, and he's in the final year of a four-year, $98.4 million contract signed in 2016.

Whiteside's stat line against the Clippers was solid with 17 points and 19 rebounds in 27 minutes. He ranks fourth in the NBA with 13 rebounds per game this season.