The internet turned Dion Waiters into a caricature, the personification of the mantra, “get buckets”. As it turns out, this representation may not have been far from the truth. In a revealing piece done for The Player Tribune, Dion Waiters opened up about a variety of topics including his unrelenting confidence.
You know, it’s hilarious to me. I’m not a big Internet guy, but I see things. I see what people say about me. I see the GIFs and all that. They say,
“He never seen a shot he don’t like.”
“He’s got irrational confidence.”
“He thinks he’s the best player in the NBA.”
Hell yeah I do. I have to.
The article includes a slew of other topics in Waiters’ life. Including his time with Kevin Durant and how his early life in Philly gave him his confidence.
Listen, now you know where I’m from. Picture yourself walking into a South Philly playground at 12 years old, with grown-ass men, bleachers packed with people, trying to get a run in. You think you can survive in Philly without irrational confidence?
You will never in your life hear the words, “I can’t” come out of Dion Waiters’ mouth.
Dion Waiters writing in the third person is almost too perfect to explain. It is as if NBA twitter created an actual human being. Waiters adds on to this amazing piece by detailing meeting his now boss, Pat Riley.
Y’all seen Casino, right? You know, the one with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in Vegas? Anyway — that one. If you want to know what it’s like to meet Pat Riley, you need to watch that movie.
When I heard that Miami was interested in me this summer, I wasn’t really seeing it at first. Nothing against the Heat, but I didn’t know how I’d fit there.
Then I met Pat Riley.
I walked into his office and … damn. The hair was slicked back, and he was wearing one of those suits of his, you know, real O.G., looking like a million bucks. Behind him, he’s got photos of all his championship teams lining the walls. He’s wearing one of his nine rings. He’s sitting there looking like De Niro in Casino. He’s looking like the boss. He’s looking like he’s seen it all, because he has.
After signing with the Heat, Waiters had a great season. Averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds a game on 42.3% shooting and 39% from three. He also helped them come back from a terrible 11-30 start to the season. Here’s to hoping he continues to show his incomparable confidence in 2018.
