The Transformation of Dion Waiters
I love Dion Waiters.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard has provided me with so many words over the past year and a half that I feel like I owe him at least a beer, if we were to ever meet. Seriously, just check my archives on this site. Most of my single player pieces focus on Dion Waiters. Some are serious, most aren’t, but either way I take a personal joy in writing about Dion, and I thank him for being a constant source of inspiration.
Waiters is a restricted free agent at the end of this season. That means that it’s possible that he won’t be back with the Oklahoma City Thunder next season. Prior to the playoffs, fans would’ve rejoiced. As much as I love writing about Dion, I didn’t enjoy watching him as a fan. Whether he was screwing up a fast break or taking another step-back, he constantly frustrated fans with his inefficient and inconsistent play. Fans were hoping that Waiters would be gone and never spoken of again. Just like the two playmaking guards off the bench before him.
Then something changed. Dion Waiters learned how to ball. No one can actually explain it. If you explained the theory of evolution to a 9-month old and the theory of Waiters to an avid NBA fan, the 9-month old would have a better understanding of what you’re talking about. Suddenly, a guy who has played one-way during his entire Thunder tenure started playing much differently. And not only was he playing differently, he was playing differently during the most crucial time of the season.
Waiters had 7+ months to change his style of play and adapt to a new coach and new pieces, and it never looked like that was going to happen. Then the playoffs started and now Dion is the guy that many people thought he could be when he was drafted #4 overall in 2012. He’s not taking step back jumpers, he’s attacking the basket, he’s passing well, he’s creating his own rules and he’s playing really strong defense.
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This is where the dilemma comes in. On April 13th, we all would’ve said, “I can’t wait until Dion is off the team.” Today, we’re all saying, “Bringing back Dion and keeping this team together is a must.” Does six weeks erase seven months? Probably not, but when they are the most important six weeks of the season, an argument can be made.
However, I’m not here to make that argument. I’m biased. I want Dion back in Oklahoma City because he provides me with great material and that’s essential when you’re trying to write a column a week on the same team. As frustrated as I was watching him this season, the fact that I could create my own Dion Waiters Mix Tape trumped every single bad play he made.
I’m just here to praise Dion and Billy Donovan. It would’ve been easy for Donovan to yank Dion from the rotation. We all thought it should’ve happened after the Cleveland game. When Dion had to step away from basketball after the tragic passing of his brother, the team seemed to play better, leading credence to the “Dion is holding everyone back” theory.
Next: Thunder take 3-1 series lead over the Warriors
Donovan stuck with him through it and somehow got him to play “the right way.” And to his credit, Dion accepted his role. Maybe he took a cue from Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, both of whom sacrificed minutes and possessions for the greater good of the team. Or maybe he realized that he’s a great situation and started to value winning over shots. Or maybe this has been a master troll job by Dion the entire time. Before you dismiss that theory, ask yourself this, who are you to doubt Dion Waiters right now?