Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters gets called a dirty player, takes issue

Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters refuses to sit back and be called a dirty player.

Dion Waiters has been called many things throughout his NBA career. Ridiculous. A bust. Too confident. A bad shooter. And while he is none of the above, he is obviously misunderstood.

While the guard’s true colors have been better represented since joining the Miami Heat, there are still people unsure what to make of the young fella. Not yet ready to relocate to Waiters Island, if you will.

And then there are those who are seemingly just haters, through and through.

Like Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert.

After the Heat’s 84-74 win over the Jazz, the center took to Twitter to let out some steam. Specifically about a play by Waiters, during which he dove for the ball, inadvertently knocking into Gobert in the process.

Now anyone can understand the 25-year-old’s frustration with the injury, as he was first diagnosed with a knee contusion and then later ruled out four to six weeks with a bone bruise. However it’s pretty clear to see that Waiters meant no harm, just merely making a hustle play.

And the Philadelphia-native certainly doesn’t appreciate Gobert insinuating otherwise.

"“I’ve never been a dirty player in my life. I went for the ball. Tell him to get out of his feelings. And that’s what it is, just like that. I didn’t even know that was him… He goes right to social media. I ain’t a social media guy. At the end of the day, that [expletive] don’t matter… We won, they lost, so what.”"

So what indeed, especially when head coach Erik Spoelstra made sure to have his player’s back.

"‘”…our point of emphasis all the time is if you see a loose ball, you better put your nose on it… I just want him going for it, putting his nose on two or three more of those a game.”"

While injuries are definitely nothing to joke about, Gobert’s comments in this case are borderline laughable, considering the type of standup guy Waiters has always made sure to be.

The fifth-year finished the game with 21 points (on 3-of-3 shooting from downtown), 2 rebounds and 1 assist. And currently is averaging 16.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steal a game, in 31.8 minutes of play.

Next: Miami Heat Makes and Misses: Justise Winslow's expanded role and more

The Miami Heat will once again take on the Utah Jazz at home, on January 7.