Dion Waiters not getting respect he deserves

[action781]

In an interview with HoopsHype:

What's the plan for the summer for you personally?

DW: I'm going to work like I have something to prove. I'm still not getting the respect I think I deserve. That's my motivation.

I fully admit that I'm taking his words very literally here and making a bigger deal of something that needs to be, but a big grin came across my face when I read Dion Waiters saying that he doesn't think he gets the respect he "deserves" and thought I'd share that quote.  I'd love to hear him tell me what kind of respect he thinks he is deserving of and why he deserves that.

[indeedproceed]

We can't even spell his name right in threads..maybe he's on to something!

[action781]

We can't even spell his name right in threads..maybe he's on to something!

Haha!

[Boris Badenov]

I'm pretty sure he's getting pretty close to the level of respect he deserves - even from people who misspell his name.

[slamtheking]

did he do something respectable this year?  I must have missed it

[Boris Badenov]

Side question: do you think the Cavs would take Bradley for Waiters?

AB seems like a much better fit next to Irving, to me. Not enough ball to go around with Waiters/Irving, and Bradley could take the opposing PG on D if need be. And I think Waiters and Rondo might be better than Rondo/Bradley too.

[Who]

Side question: do you think the Cavs would take Bradley for Waiters?

AB seems like a much better fit next to Irving, to me. Not enough ball to go around with Waiters/Irving, and Bradley could take the opposing PG on D if need be. And I think Waiters and Rondo might be better than Rondo/Bradley too.

Nope -- Cleveland seem to be extremely high on Waiters on T.Thompson. Far higher than anyone else.

I don't see either guy being moved in the near future without an All-Star guy heading back ... which I do not think anyone will offer Cleveland for them.

[Chris]

Ugh.  Why can't players say stuff like this?  All he is saying is that he is using the lack of respect as motivation to get better.  I love players who have chip on their shoulder like this. 

This is the exact attitude that made Pierce what he is. 

[indeedproceed]

Side question: do you think the Cavs would take Bradley for Waiters?

AB seems like a much better fit next to Irving, to me. Not enough ball to go around with Waiters/Irving, and Bradley could take the opposing PG on D if need be. And I think Waiters and Rondo might be better than Rondo/Bradley too.

Nope -- Cleveland seem to be extremely high on Waiters on T.Thompson. Far higher than anyone else.

I don't see either guy being moved in the near future without an All-Star guy heading back ... which I do not think anyone will offer Cleveland for them.

Seems like Beal is the much more complete player. I guess you don't become known as the franchise who lost LeBron for your stellar personnel decisions.

Although to be fair, Waiters and Thompson have both panned out far better than I assumed either one would be, so I'm no genius.

[fairweatherfan]

Ugh.  Why can't players say stuff like this?  All he is saying is that he is using the lack of respect as motivation to get better.  I love players who have chip on their shoulder like this. 

This is the exact attitude that made Pierce what he is.

I agree - I think Waiters is getting about the right amount of respect, maybe even a little overrated in some circles.  So what?  Players should be irrational when it comes to how good they are and what others think of them.  Within reason, it's a very healthy way of staying motivated. 

Michael Jordan still seethes about perceived slights from decades ago, even after everything he's accomplished.  It might not make him a nice guy but it's a big part of why he was able to maximize his potential as a player.

[ManUp]

Ugh.  Why can't players say stuff like this?  All he is saying is that he is using the lack of respect as motivation to get better.  I love players who have chip on their shoulder like this. 

This is the exact attitude that made Pierce what he is.

I agree - I think Waiters is getting about the right amount of respect, maybe even a little overrated in some circles.  So what?  Players should be irrational when it comes to how good they are and what others think of them.  Within reason, it's a very healthy way of staying motivated. 

Michael Jordan still seethes about perceived slights from decades ago, even after everything he's accomplished.  It might not make him a nice guy but it's a big part of why he was able to maximize his potential as a player.

I'm with you guys on this one.

[Smutzy#9]

Side question: do you think the Cavs would take Bradley for Waiters?

AB seems like a much better fit next to Irving, to me. Not enough ball to go around with Waiters/Irving, and Bradley could take the opposing PG on D if need be. And I think Waiters and Rondo might be better than Rondo/Bradley too.

Nope -- Cleveland seem to be extremely high on Waiters on T.Thompson. Far higher than anyone else.

I don't see either guy being moved in the near future without an All-Star guy heading back ... which I do not think anyone will offer Cleveland for them.

I actually think Cleveland are going to be a great team in the coming years a young core of people like Irving Waiters Thompson is a decent core. TT has really impressed me this season. I thought he was going to be a complete bust last year and this year each game he played us he just entered beast mode. seriously look at his numbers against boston.

Zellar can be a pretty solid NBA big as well. He has all the tools needed for a decent big these days in a league that lacks "quality" bigs. I use the term quality because you look at some of the quality bigs a decade ago and you can clearly see there arent that many any more.

I wouldnt mind them drafting someone like an Otto Porter in the draft. I know its a high pick but it would fill the role they need in the SF position and he could gel well with that team adding some much needed defensive pressure.

 

[CelticConcourse]

I totally agree with this. At first, I thought he was a Crawford-esque chucker but after watching him play i know that's not true. Clever pick.

[lour]

In my opinion, from watching Waiters play.. he's like a poor man's JR Smith lol very raw talent and excellent scorer. suspect defense though..

[indeedproceed]

The issue with Waiters for me is that he's very redundant of Irving's skillset. Neither one is a very good passer, and both are best as scorers when they have the freedom to penetrate, and neither one is particularly good operating off the ball.

This kind of setup worked well for OKC, but in a Lebron-less league, and on separate teams, both Westbrook and Durant would be MVP candidates. Irving should get to that level if he can stay healthy for 75 games or more, but Waiters isn't that guy. Luke Walton played major minutes this year for Cleveland because he actually made up as a facilitator when Irving or Waiters (or both) were on the floor.

They could work together, but they need a 3 who spaces the floor, passes well, and defends. I think they'd be just as well off trading Waiters for a 3 and D 2, and looking for a facilitating 3.

Gordon Hayward would be pretty awesome there.