Dion Waiters has been on a tear recently, leading the previously almost-tanking Miami Heat into the playoff picture. Since the start of the new year, Waiters has averaged 17.1 points and 4.6 assists per game, shooting 44 percent from the field.
Included in that stretch of great play was Waiters’ game-winner over the Golden State Warriors, made famous by his legendary stance immediately after hitting the buzzer-beater.
Asked about it by Michael Lee of The Vertical recently, Waiters had the perfect explanation:
“That’s just that Philly cheese swag,” Waiters told The Vertical. “Now, everybody see me, they do the pose.”
What a legend.
Waiters is a Philadelphia native and he’s representing his hometown well in South Beach.
Waiters also spoke to Lee about his season, in which he has seemingly found a role he is comfortable in:
“This season right here, I truly believe it shows players that when things aren’t going right, or if you’re on better teams and have a lesser role, or you’re knowing you can do some of the things these other guys are doing but never really had the chance, be patient,” Waiters told The Vertical. “Keep working and always have faith and the utmost confidence in yourself. I always had confidence in myself. Everybody knows that. That’s how I am. I never lacked confidence. I don’t care. You could make jokes of it. But I’m a man. I’m a father at the end of the day. I can’t allow my child to see his father lack confidence in any situation. That’s why as a man, you’ve got to believe you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Waiters’ story has been one of the better ones this season. He was a ridiculed player for the early stretch of his career but in Miami, he has a defined role and is excelling in it. Time will tell whether it’s sustainable, but for now, Dion Waiters’ has emerged as a legitimately great player and the Heat are winning because of it.
