Miami Heat 2016-17 player preview: Dion Waiters
By Simon Smith
What Waiters doesn’t do well
Per NBA.com, last season Waiters’ jump shot consisted of 68.6 percent of his total shot attempts. Converting on just 34.7 percent of these was clearly far from ideal. Although his three-point jump shots were respectable, those from the mid-range and other areas on the floor can certainly use some refinement.
Over his career to date, Waiters has not exactly represented an efficient player. Shooting 41 percent from the field and 33 percent from downtown is just illustration of this point. When you combine these percentages with a career usage rate of 23.2, finding the best fit for Waiters and his talents has proven to be difficult.
But it’s not just the numbers that have been the knock on Waiters. The criticism has been directed more towards his overall maturity and body language. The following clip is just one example of the posturing that Waiters has been mocked and criticized.
As you may notice, it’s LeBron James with the ball in his hands. Yet Waiters is gesturing and complaining about not getting the ball. It’s a prime example of what his critics have been badgering – a real lack of awareness. In this case, the best player in the world has the ball yet he feels he should have it instead.