After Dwyane Wade decided to leave the Miami Heat last summer, the Heat needed to replace him with another shooting guard, as well as fill out other open spots on the roster. Shortly after, they signed Dion Waiters to a two-year contract that is worth less than $6 million. Even though Miami did not expect much from Waiters, he has played incredibly well this season, thus drawing comparisons to his predecessor.
Dion Waiters is averaging 16.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game with Miami, which are his career highs. He also shoots the career-best 39.5 percent from three-point range and has been fantastic when it comes to making big shots in most critical moments of the game.
Dion Waiters says he can't replace Dwyane Wade
Waiters is having an incredible season, and he plays with a lot of confidence. However, he is still well-aware of his limits, as well as of what Dwyane Wade accomplished in Miami. Wade, who spent 13 years playing for the Miami Heat, won three championships and established himself as the greatest player to ever play for the franchise. Dion Waiters knows it, and he considers it disrespectful when people say he is Wade's replacement.
"You can’t replace no legend, considering what he did for the city of Miami. He did so much for this city, brought them three titles," said the 25-year old shooting guard. Waiters also added how for Wade did for the franchise is unmatched and that he hopes he can be in Miami the same way Wade was there for 13 years.
Waiters likes Miami and is comfortable there
The young shooting guard reflected on his free agency decision that he had to make last summer. He decided to sign with the Miami Heat for much less money than he could have gotten from his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. There were a few more NBA teams interested in Waiters' service, but he chose Miami for less money, and it paid off in the long run.
Dion Waiters said how it wasn’t about the money for him last summer, but rather about finding comfort, home, and place where he can have fun while playing. He picked Miami and a few months later, it turned out to be the right choice and everything he wanted. Waiters said that he intends to stay in Miami for a long term, and if he does, it will definitely help him chase what Dwyane Wade accomplished for the team.
