Dion Waiters checked in to today’s episode of Scoop B Radio. A Syracuse product and an NBA Champion by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Waiters spent eight years in the NBA. Selected fourth by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2012 NBA Draft, Waiters also had stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat before winning an NBA Championship with Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Bubblie in Orlando, Florida back in 2020.
Waiters, 32, hasn’t played in the NBA since the NBA Bubble in Florida. He shares that he’s spent time with his kids and stepped away from the game due to mental health issues. While chatting with Scoop B Radio, he asserts that he still has something left in the tank and that if he’s called he’d be ready to give it a go. “A couple of teams could use me right about now,” Waiters shared.
“I still can play. I STILL can play at a high level….I can STILL go out there and get you 20 right now. Literally 20 RIGHT NOW.”
With career averages of 13.1 points per game, the shooting guard asserts that he can still lace ‘em up, can put the work in on the court and shares he’ll be ready if an NBA team does call. “Hell yeah, I’d be ready,” he tells Scoop B Radio.
“I know how it works. I know to get back in that mode. It’s easy. I’ve been doing it my whole life and it’s simple. It’s locking back in and tapping back in. That’s all.”
Waiters had a solid collegiate career at Syracuse. During his sophomore season, he averaged 12.6 points, 2.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game and was named the Big East Sixth Man of the Year, earned third-team All-Big East honors, was named AP Honorable Mention All-American and was selected to the All-Big East Tournament team.
After success at ‘Cuse and being drafted by the Cavs, there was excitement in Cleveland because the team was rebuilding their roster with Waiters and Kyrie Irving as faces of the franchise after LeBron James’ departure via free agency to the Miami Heat.
Dion Waiters’ Beginning With the Cleveland Cavaliers
While the Cavs were preparing for the future, one problem seemingly existed: multiple reports suggested that Waiters and Irving didn’t get along. In fact, the two were characterized as an oil-water mix on the court, with both preferring to have the ball in their hands and controlling the offense. Looking back on it, Waiters sees it differently.
“I just think that the media and people that’s gunnin’ or fighting for their position for the number 1 spot sometimes just are so thirsty to drop information that’s not authentic,” Waiters tells Scoop B Radio.
“If we’re going to build a relationship, but there’s really not a relationship because you basically want to get the information and put it out so you can look good first and it’s not being genuine; you’re not really asking me, How do I feel about this? Yes, No, maybe so… I think the media is fighting for that number 1 spot trying to get their names out or trying to get a job and I think that sometimes they go about things the wrong way.”
Despite the confusion that existed through the media between Waiters and Irving, Waiters held his own individually. In fact, he put on a show during the 2014 NBA All Star Weekend in New Orleans. Most memorably, Waiters’ star shined bright during the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge where he literally went toe to toe, while trading bucket after bucket with former New York Knick, Tim Hardaway Jr. Waiters finished the game with a 31 point, seven assist outing.
Waiters also credits former Cavs coach Mike Brown for keeping him on the straight and narrow road during their time in Cleveland. He also shared that it is of no surprise that Brown has continued to see success in the NBA especially in his current role as head coach of the Sacramento Kings. “He was one of my favorite coaches,” said Waiters.
“Mike was my favorite coach. We won under Mike. Mike held everybody accountable as he should and I just felt certain guys didn’t like that and you see he’s a good coach and it shows. So you gotta understand that it’s a business, though with your players and how the best players feel about an individual and unfortunately, things don’t work out.”
Waiters Says He Learned How To Be A Professional In OKC With KD & Russ
Soon after LeBron James’ return to Cleveland back in 2014, Waiters was ultimately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. The Thunder gave up Lance Thomas and a protected first-round draft pick. In 78 regular-season games, Waiters averaged 9.8 points per game, including 35.8% on three-pointers. A year later, OKC rescinded their qualifying offer for Waiters, making him an unrestricted free agent. Waiters left the Thunder to sign with the Miami Heat. Some say the Thunder made a mistake acquiring Waiters because he needed the ball in his hands to thrive. Others say that Waiters loved the fit with the Thunder and that he was able to play and have fun. “I learned how to be a pro there, but there was a lot going on,” he shared.
“Like, you got superstars over there and it was a lot going on, bruh. From the outside looking in you’re thinking it’s one way until you get there and it’s NOT what it really seems to be — Like, guys got along but when you watch it from afar, it looks like guys are closer from afar and then when you get there, it’s like… whoa. But I still think we should’ve went to the Finals when we were up 3-1 that year [in 2016]. I hate talking about it. But OKC? It was a lot going on, bro. It was a lot of different and I don’t want to say hidden agendas, it was just a lot of tension that’s all.”
Waiters said his bond with both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbook was strong. Waiters said that his time in Oklahoma was spent resting, playing basketball and playing video games. “I didn’t go outside in Oklahoma,” he said.
“I’m not gonna lie to you. I went out once. Once! It was a team situation but prior to that, I spent a lot of time at Kev’s house playing the game and stuff like that. Just chillin’. And then after a while me and the guys started doing stuff after the game when we fly in and get back; little bit of team camaraderie and stuff going to chill spots and things like that. We never went to any clubs or any of that type of stuff. Just a chill vibe or going to a restaurant or something like that. There was not much to do in OKC. You had no choice but for you to get better.”
Russell Westbrook has been phenomenal this season as a starter for the Denver Nuggets. His intensity, his tenacity and his poise has been recognized, noted and appreciated. Years prior, during his tenure in OKC, Waiters shared that Westbrook’s approach to the game was on a high level and he took notes. “Russ was always the first person there no matter what,” he said.
“Doesn’t matter if it’s workouts, doesn’t matter if it’s practice he’s always the first one there. If it’s events, he’s always the first one. Just his professionalism.”
Waiters also watched how KD led and that his work ethic was off the charts. “Kev led by example,” he said.
“He worked hard. He did every drill at game speed. Kev is also the smartest in the game too, so it’s different. Russ is more so professional and Kev more so works extra hard but, Russ hard too, though. Just both of them with their understanding of the game and picking up little things from those guys, man and the team I just feel like that we bonded at the right time also but we still had our own shit going on, but I felt like that we were right there. Serge Ibaka worked hard and took care of his body… we were right there, you know what I mean? So I picked up a lot of good habits from those guys, you know what I mean? And ‘Bron too. Being able to be up close and all of that with ‘Bron also too. So, it was both of them.”
Dion Waiters’ Years With the Miami Heat Were Mercurial
Defined by suspension, gummies and disagreements, some executives and NBA higher ups have questioned his dedication to the game of basketball, the team suspended him on three different occasions.
The first occasion was during the season opener after Waiters complained about playing time on social media. Waiters was also suspended for consuming THC-infused edibles, causing a panic attack during a team flight to Los Angeles. Finally, Waiters was suspended for six games after posting a picture celebrating his birthday after claiming he was sick.
Perception becomes reality in the NBA, however, he says that he learned a lot from those experiences. “When you get to a certain point in life it’s a business,” he said.
“Never understood the business side. You learn the business side but you may not fully understand it.”
Waiters also says that he matured and that he’s leaned on advice from fellow Syracuse alumni and future NBA Hall of Famer, Carmelo Anthony: “Play the game. You gotta learn how to play the game off the court. Not basketball. Even when things aren’t going your way you STILL get the perks of basketball like traveling, taking care of your family with that one round object. Take full advantage of it and understand that it is a business and there is politics involved.”
For what it is worth and while they did not always see eye to eye in Miami, Waiters says that he learned a lot from Heat head coach, Erik Spoelstra. “Spo was always a great coach,” said Waiters.
“Even though we had our differences at times, that doesn’t take away from him wanting to be the best.
“He’s sharp! And he’s already won and now he’s getting the praise for it.”
Lakers Redemption & 2020 Bubble Championship
The Miami Heat, Dion Waiters era ended in 2020 when Miami traded Waiters to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team trade that also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Subsequently, Waiters was waived by the Grizzlies three days later. A month later, he signed with the Lakers where he averaged 11.9 points in 23 minutes of action.
Ironically: Waiters’ Lakers competed against his former Heat team in the NBA Finals in the NBA Bubble during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Orlando. Florida.
A groin injury would prevent Waiters from playing, but the Lakers beat the Heat in six games to give Waiters his first championship. “I wish I wasn’t hurt so I could participate in it,” said Waiters.
“But you know things happen and shit happens for a reason. But I was more so the way shit went that year with our team, you know what I mean? It was more so like… I really didn’t care honestly as long as we won and it was against them with the shit that they put me through but, you know that’s neither here nor there, man. But at the end of the day, we put belt to ass also; you feel me? And it’s cool, man. I know things happen and shit happens for a reason. You can’t question it so it was alright I guess.”
Despite not playing in the NBA Finals, Waiters spoke reverently about that Lakers Championship team under head coach Frank Vogel. The way Waiters tells it, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kyle Kuzma and everyone else had a dream roster that came to compete against everyone in the NBA’s Western Conference four years ago. “I think that we were just better than everybody,” he recounted.
“Honestly. As far as top to bottom, we just had everything we needed. Like, we could plug in guys for certain series — like, if I didn’t play the first series and I knew that we would go against Houston where it’s more guards, they would plug me in. Unfortunately, I got hurt right around the first game with Houston. But we just had everything to match up. We matched up well with EVERYBODY and also we could go big or small. We just had the perfect team, bro! And got Bron and AD on your team and Rondo? So it’s like Rondo was a whole other coach out there with ‘Bron, you feel me? And so, they see the plays happen before it’s happening. They’re telling you what’s going on and it’s like to have that out there and to get out there and to really get a chance to understand it and learn it? Like, Rondo’s a coach, bro. I’m talking every day. Every day. His mind is on a whole nother level, you know what I mean? And fortunately for me, I was able to be around that and I’m like, ‘Damn! I can see why he was so successful because his mind is TEN steps ahead of everybody’s!’ LeBron too, though. But we just had everything. We had the bigs with Dwight [Howard], JaVale McGee and AD; and we could matchup with that and then if you want to go small you can go Markieff Morris, AD, go ‘Bron, Kuz (Kyle Kuzma), Rondo, we had Danny Green… we just had every piece we possibly needed, you know what I mean? We just make it work which is what we did. It was just like that we were dominant as far as we could match up with ANYBODY — even with Denver and Nikola Jokić. We’re throwing big bodies at him too. You got JaVale guarding him one night: length, the next night you got Dwight guarding him: strength. So you try to wear him down as best you can. You can’t really stop great players, you just have to try to make ‘em work and that’s what we tried to do. But the team was just really well-rounded, bro. Better than everybody.”
An NBA Return For Dion Waiters?
Waiters’ most recent professional stint was in the 2019–20 NBA season, before taking a break for four years. During his hiatus, he suffered from depression. Last year, he held a private workout in front of NBA scouts for a chance to re-join the league. Waiters still has that itch to return, and has the support of his family. He also has a simple message for those who support him. “I ain’t gonna go out on the couch,” he tells Scoop B Radio.
“I’m going to try to make that comeback somewhere, somehow, someway. It’s a lot but I’ma tap back in, but you know like I said, I’m STILL young. I have a beautiful family and kids. They live a beautiful life. I’ve made money, I’m able to take care of my kids without having to scramble around and that type of stuff. It’s just really about the opportunity.”
Waiters shared tons of anecdotes on today’s episode of Scoop B Radio including his thoughts on Bronny James, hip hop music and tons more.
Watch Waiters’ full Scoop B Radio interview by clicking here.
