The last picture of Dion Waiters on an NBA floor? It dates from the Orlando “bubble”, and therefore from September 2020, when he celebrated obtaining his first NBA title under the colors of the Lakers…
Three seasons later, if he is certainly not yet retired, the former Cavaliers, Thunder and Heat player has nevertheless disappeared from the radar. At “only” 31 years old, however, he has not yet said goodbye to the Big League, since he was present in Las Vegas this weekend to prove his worth during a “workout”.
The opportunity for the ex-troublemaker to give his news and to plead his case with the NBA leaders…
” I’m healthy and I want an opportunity to show that I’m not the same », he announces Thus. ” For me, it’s mostly about showing that I’ve changed and that’s why I’m here. I still have the same love for basketball, this sport still irritates me. I know that I can still help a team win on the pitch or even in the locker room, with my experience. So why not give it a try and see what happens? You never know what can happen… »
Depression, anxiety, uncertainty about his future: Dion Waiters has gone through mentally complicated times for three years. So much so that he now sees a psychologist every week.
” Honestly, I had to live what I’ve been through for the past few years “, he admits bluntly. ” I feel that it made me better as a man and as a father, since I am now able to tell my son that everything is not only linked to talent, but rather to attitude. . In fact, I said to him: ‘Your father is not out of the league because of the talent, but because of his attitude, his character, his lack of professionalism’. And that’s the pure truth… But I got better in terms of patience and acknowledging my mistakes, where I went wrong. What I want to be able to fix. I want to have a chance to show that I have grown. »
More humble, more mature and more thoughtful?
Realistic but optimistic, Dion Waiters can therefore count on the support of his ten-year-old son to find the motivation to return to the NBA. Provided, however, that you no longer show immaturity off the court…
” I can still play, score and be a dog in defense, I still have confidence in my abilities, but I also have a better collective mindset and I know to do what we are asked to do. “, he admits, no doubt in reference to his three suspensions which occurred during the 2019/20 season and which inevitably led him far from Miami, where he nevertheless practiced his best basketball.
Former 4th choice of the Draft (2012), Dion Waiters also has no trouble confiding that he has sometimes lacked humility, to the point of considering his place in the league for granted. What make him say that he can occupy a role of mentor and adviser to the youngest, thanks to his rather tumultuous journey.
” When you think about it, I went through all the stages: Top 5 in the Draft, starter, substitute, player at his peak and in a good situation in Miami, injured… I knew everything “, he explains about it. ” So, as I’ve been there, I could tell young people to stay focused, work hard, keep your mouth shut, learn to talk to others, watch lots of videos, and be ready for when their time will come, since they will always end up being thrown into the deep end. »
| Dion Waiters | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2012-13 | KEY | 61 | 29 | 41.2 | 31.0 | 74.6 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 14.7 |
| 2013-14 | KEY | 70 | 30 | 43.3 | 36.8 | 68.5 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 15.9 |
| 2014-15* | All Teams | 80 | 28 | 39.6 | 29.7 | 68.0 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 11.8 |
| 2014-15* | OKAY | 47 | 30 | 39.2 | 31.9 | 62.5 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 12.7 |
| 2014-15* | KEY | 33 | 24 | 40.4 | 25.6 | 78.3 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 10.5 |
| 2015-16 | OKAY | 78 | 28 | 39.9 | 35.7 | 71.3 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 9.8 |
| 2016-17 | MIA | 46 | 30 | 42.4 | 39.5 | 64.6 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 15.9 |
| 2017-18 | MIA | 30 | 31 | 39.8 | 30.6 | 73.9 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 14.3 |
| 2018-19 | MIA | 44 | 26 | 41.4 | 37.7 | 50.0 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 12.0 |
| 2019-20 * | All Teams | 10 | 21 | 41.4 | 31.9 | 82.4 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 11.1 |
| 2019-20 * | ALL | 7 | 24 | 42.5 | 23.3 | 87.5 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 11.9 |
| 2019-20 * | MIA | 3 | 14 | 38.5 | 47.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 9.3 |
| Total | 419 | 28 | 41.2 | 34.6 | 69.4 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 13.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
