Waiters benefiting from lessons learned in past stops
Dion Waiters is quick to point out that he has learned plenty in a short time from Miami coach Erik Spoelstra and the assistants on the Heat staff.
But he’s had other teachers, as well – and their lessons are paying off now.
Waiters has been sensational for Miami during its 10-game winning streak, one that has vaulted the Heat right back into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. And part of his surge, he said, is because of the lessons he learned when he was a teammate in Cleveland and Oklahoma City of stars like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and most especially Kevin Durant.
“I had the opportunity to be around some of the greats,” Waiters said. “You know, Bron, Russ, KD – every day with KD, before and after practice, working out together, we did everything together. I was a sponge, basically, soaking all that up. And seeing how hard he works every day, even in the position he was in, every day was the same thing, just being consistent.”
So now Waiters has a routine of his own, sticking to it diligently the same way that Durant has.
It’s working. Waiters is averaging 21.5 points and 4.8 assists on 51 per cent shooting – 53 per cent from 3-point range – during the streak. And Miami started the year 11-30, but is 10-0 since in a staggering turnaround.
“It’s just about being consistent, man,” Waiters said. “Just having fun, most importantly. It’s a hell of a ride. Even what we went through in the beginning of the year, we learned. Everybody probably doubted us, counted us out. When you win, it puts a perspective on everything else. Everybody’s quote-unquote now seeing how good we can be. But we’re not getting caught up in the hype.”
“Everybody probably doubted us, counted us out. When you win, it puts a perspective on everything else. “Dion Waiters