Miami Heat: Top players that have the most to prove next season

Dion Waiters

Before joining the Miami Heat, Waiters spent his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In those four years, he averaged 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists on 41/33/70 splits. Those averages fell down drastically in his last year playing for the Thunder.

Because of that, he hasn’t signed with anyone right until July 26th.

Waiters’ first season with the Heat was a clear success. Actually describing it as merely a success is an understatement. The first 16 games for Waiters were disappointing as he averaged 14.2 points, 3.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds on 38/34/65 splits.

Then, Wade County became Waiters County.

Versus the Golden State Warriors, he recorded 33 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists on 65 percent from the field and 75 percent from downtown and a game winner.

Versus the Brooklyn Nets – 24 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists on 55 percent from the field and 66 percent from downtown.

Versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, another 29 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists on 50 percent from the field and 55 percent from downtown.

The spotlight was right on there Heat during the second half of the season and for good reasons. After starting 11-30, Waiters, in particular, was the engine that allowed the team to win 13 straight and get right back into playoff contention.

After a season like that, it was inevitable that Waiters would receive his contract and be part of the future. Heading into the 2017-18, Waiters fell down harder than any other player on the team. The fall was that high, anything he did was seen as a positive.

After only 30 games (another reason why it was disappointing), every single stat dropped from the previous year especially his efficiency and his advanced statistic. A shocking 48 true shooting percentage, minus-0.7 win shares, minus-4.0 box plus/minus, and a 0.004 win shares per 48 minutes.

Simply looking at those stats, you may have an argument that he was among the worst players in the league. You shouldn’t have an argument for the worst player after receiving a new paycheck.

This season wasn’t good either, it was an improvement but not something to be bragging about. His defense was atrocious allowing 111 points per 100 possessions. Injured yet again and barely managing to play half the season. And still not being entirely efficient or even providing much offense.

So, what has he got to prove?

Health and body

For one, my only wish is for him to stay healthy. 30 and 44 games in two seasons is not acceptable. Who cares if the guy is a scoring machine if he only plays 30-odd games. Availability is the player’s main strength. They can’t contribute if they are not on the court.

Another point to make about his body is, of course, his weight. He joined Miami slightly overweight but with proper training from Pat Riley, he got himself in world-class shape.

Scoring and efficiency 

Waiters was never the efficient guy. He is a volume shooter and everyone knows that. No one is expecting him to be as efficient as Stephen Curry but shooting under 40 percent or 50 percent from the free throw line is simply unacceptable and has to be improved.

We also witness a decrease in his points per game. During his first season, he showed he can be the number one scoring option and putting up 12 points can’t be it.

He needs to prove again that not only he can increase his points to even his 2017 self but perhaps improve his scoring ability.

Being a closer

During that 13 game winning streak, Waiters was everything you wanted in a closer. He hit game winners (game-winning 3-pointer versus the Warriors). He led the team to huge comebacks (down by 18 points in the fourth versus the Nets). He hit daggers when the team needed him to (dagger from the logo versus the Cavaliers).

In all but one season, the Heat had Dwyane Wade as the most reliable closer. Since then, there was Goran Dragic and Richardson trying to close out games. They don’t have that “Philly Cheese” or the irrational confidence.

With Wade gone, the opportunity for Waiters is wide open. It is screaming for him to take the last shot. No one on the team has the same level of confidence as he does. This is the season for Waiters to take the next step.

Fighting for the starting role

What? Why would he have to fight for the starting role?

The addition of our rookie may seem currently like the better option. Tyler Herro is an exceptional shooter, whether it is from downtown or the free throw line, especially from the free throw line.

The team needs shooters and if Herro can prove he can shoot as he did at college, then it would be tough having him off the bench when Waiters barely hits 40 percent from the floor.

The first couple of weeks, I predict it will be a battle for the starting shooting guard. Whether Waiters or Herro gets it, that will all depend on how hungry Waiters is in proving everyone wrong.