Dion Waiters finally found an NBA team that fits him. The Miami Heat signed Waiters to a two-year contract last summer, and Waiters had one of the best seasons of his career in Miami. The shooting guard averaged 15.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in what was a brilliant season for him. He showed what he is capable of as he established himself as the third-best player on the team. Dion Waiters published an article on The Players' Tribune, and he talked about his time in Miami.
Waiters was impressed by Pat Riley
Dion Waiters described his free agency meeting with the Miami Heat president, Pat Riley.
He was simply impressed by Riley and the way he handled things, and the Heat president also told him that he would get in better shape. “We’re going to get you in world-class shape. Not good shape. Not great shape. World-class shape," Pat Riley said.
Indeed, Waiters has gone through a transformation and he recently posted the photos of his progress. Taking care of his body and getting in better shape helped him turn into one of the deadliest guards in the NBA, as Dion Waiters finally got the respect and recognition he deserved. Before Miami, Waiters was a player everyone made fun of. But in Miami, he became a great player and someone who works very hard on his game.
The NBA is lucky @DionWaiters3 is home doing damn articles: https://t.co/iBhPucZ2Gl pic.twitter.com/WJsjJqsR2Z
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) April 25, 2017
The Miami Heat shooting guard added how Riley didn't ask him about basketball, but rather about life.
Waiters told him his life story, saying how both of his parents got shot by the time he was 12, and that many of his brothers, uncles, and friends were murdered. That is when he decided to turn to basketball, saying, "You know what? I’m just gonna f***ing ball out." This is how it all started for Dion Waiters, and his road to the NBA was extremely difficult.
Waiters admits he has 'irrational confidence'
Without any doubt, Dion Waiters is one of the most confident NBA players. He believes in himself, and that belief helped him make some big shots and earn valuable wins for the Miami Heat. The guard said how it was impossible to survive without irrational confidence in South Philadelphia, the place where he comes from.
"You will never in your life hear the words, 'I can’t' come out of Dion Waiters’ mouth. I can. I will. I already did," is what the 25-year old player wrote.
Waiters also wrote about his injury that caused him to miss 20 games. After coming back from the injury, he told his former teammate, Kevin Durant, that the Heat will not tank and will win seven straight games, including one over Durant and his team. This is exactly what happened, as the Miami Heat went on a 13-game winning streak, beating the Golden State Warriors and a few other top teams in the NBA. At the end of the game against Kevin Durant and the Warriors, it was Waiters who made the game-winning shot.
Miami is where Dion wants to stay
Dion Waiters made it clear that he loves Miami and that he wants to stay and play for the Heat. "I love Miami. I had a hell of a season here," Waiters wrote, adding how he hopes that he found a home in Florida. Even though he signed a two-year contract with the Heat, he has a player option in the second year and will most likely terminate his contract in order to sign a new one. Considering that the Heat fans and Pat Riley love Waiters, we can expect him to wear a Heat uniform for at least a few more seasons.
Waiters finished his article with a message to Kevin Durant, "You didn't wanna see us, Kev!" -- referring to a scenario in which the Heat and the Warriors would have met in the playoffs. Although, if that were to ever be the case, both teams would have had to make it to the finals. However, despite notching 41 wins this past season, Miami failed to qualify for the playoffs.