More 'Whiteside' to come from Chinese basketball?

Once a laid-off player in the lowly Chinese league, Hassan Whiteside has managed to make unexpected overnight success in the NBA, the world's best professional basketball league.

Whiteside, who was picked by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft but only appeared in one game during his rookie season, made his fame in the NBL, the second-tier basketball league in China, when he steered Sichuan Blue Whalesteam's to the NBL championship in 2013. The 2.13-meter center also led Jiangsu Tongxi to the NBL finals in 2014.

Despite his impressive play, Whiteside was twice waived and had difficulties in landing a job at the CBA, China's top-flight league.

It, however, turned out a blessing in disguise for the 25-year-old Whiteside.

The last two months has seen Whiteside producing the most eye-catching plays with some of the best names in the NBA.

Whiteside, who signed with the Miami Heat late November last year, earned his first triple-double against NBA All-star center Pau Gasol in a game against the Chicago Bulls in January. He also became the first player to grab 24 rebounds in two straight games this season following a match with Eastern Conference leaders Atlanta Hawks.

According to ESPN's Player Efficiency Rating, Whiteside was ranked fifth on Monday in the entire NBA, followed by Lebron James and James Harden.

Whiteside's story was not an isolated case.

Inspired by the success of Stephon Marbury in the Chinese league, dozens of NBA players including J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler, Kenyon Martin and Gerald Green joined different Chinese teams in recent years but few could emulate Marbury's achievement although they are highly paid.

"A variety of reasons are behind this," basketball pundit Xu Jicheng said. "But one thing is notable: psychologically most of them don't have a strong bond with their CBA teams."

Bernard James and Micheal Beasley are the latest former NBA players to go back to America, joining the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat respectively on 10-day contracts.

As the NBA playoff season approaches, former NBA players who are now plying their trade in China would be targeted.

So, the question is: who will be the next Whiteside?