Every team in the NBA seemingly needs a player or two that can help lighten the mood and provide some humor and comedy relief throughout the course of a season.
With the Sacramento Kings, Hassan Whiteside fills that role impressively.
The Kings begin a shortened four-game road trip this week and the team, led by Whiteside, had some fun with rookie Tyrese Haliburton on Tuesday in Orlando.
Whiteside posted a few video clips to his Instagram story, in which the rookie can be heard getting teased for liking Aaron Rodgers over Tom Brady, and not liking Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
He then explained to reporters his list of grievances with Haliburton.
“Rook is out of control!” Whiteside said on Tuesday. “He forgot the towels and I’m like, ‘We need doughnuts.’ Then he said, Krispy Kreme is not good. I’m like, ‘Man!’ You can’t disrespect Krispy Kreme. But I love messing with Rook, I love messing with all of the guys. These guys are a great group of guys. They all got great personalities and that’s why I want to see them win.”
While Whiteside enjoys having his fun with Haliburton, the veteran recognized he has plenty of potential on the court.
Haliburton has emerged as one of the top rookies this season. Through 14 games, Haliburton is averaging 11.4 points, 4.9 assists, three rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He brings a calmness and maturity to the court that is rarely seen in rookies, and his teammate has noticed.
“He plays like he has been in the league for years — him in the pick and roll, his knowledge of the game and his pace,” Whiteside said. “He got a really bright future. The Kings got a really great draft pick with him. He got a chance to be a really good defender. I think he has an ugly shot but it goes in. I tell him all of the time, ‘Just keep shooting.’
Whiteside isn’t the first person to complain about his shot form, but Haliburton doesn’t care. He is converting on 47% of his shots from 3-point range on 4.7 attempts per game, which ranks 11th among all qualified players in the NBA. The motion, in whatever form you want to call it, is working and shots are falling at a high clip so Haliburton isn’t concerned.
Haliburton and Whiteside may disagree on doughnuts, and his shooting form, but the two certainly believe in the rookie’s ability on the court and that is enough reason to cheer for him.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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