I got a little flack from a couple of posters for mentioning on 610 that I like Dion Waiters so I wanted to make a case for this guy. I do like him... little concerned about his height (measured at 6-2.5 without shoes) given that I think he's a two only, so not sure if he's a starting shooting guard giving you 30-35 minutes a night, or a combo guard spark off the bench. Still, when I watch him play, I'm impressed with his quickness, willingness to attack the basket and the fact that he's not a bad shooter (47.6% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range). Strong body that I think will be able to take contact well in the NBA. He doesn't take time off on the defensive end either. He reminds me of Vernon Maxwell, with a little of Kyle Lowry thrown in. Jim Boeheim, his coach at Syracuse, compares him to Dwyane Wade, which is a huge stretch of course (and he adds all the disclaimers to that), but there is a similarity in how aggressive they both are. I've never understood the point of teams "promising" to take a player, but if Waiters did get a promise as is being reported, I'm not surprised. I think there are other players I'd rather have, but I wouldn't be disappointed if the Rockets took Waiters. (just realized -- song lyrics NSFW) <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FuNZyi1I9O8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FjV0IXg_Rjk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Well apparently he's already shut it down with a guarantee from a team most likely in the mid to late lottery. I dont see the Rockets as being the type of team that would give guarantee's before draft night due to the volitility of the trades that are likely to take place. Toronto seems like the culprit here if I had to make an educated guess.
Clutch, I too have been screaming this for anyone who wants to listen. Dion Waiters is the real deal. I wish the Rockets would select him.
He is a nice guy to have, but I'm glad that some comparable, or even better players will be available in lower picks.
The Rockets are going to be wheeling and dealing too much to give a guarantee that late in the lottery. Unless its just a ploy by Waiters and his agent to build intrigue & mystery. If there is a guarantee it would have to be one of these- -Golden State - #7 -Toronto- #8 -Portland - #11 -Phoenix - #13 Anything else seems highly unlikely.
Morey supposedly doesn't make promises, according to players' agents. (shrug) And what will we do next year with undersized 2-guard Llull? Still, I wouldn't be stunned if we took Waiters. Didn't McHale have a propensity for drafting (or wanting to draft) undersized 2's / can-play-PG-maybe's while at Minnesota? Randy Foye? Would've taken Luther H. + #8 for the #6 (Brandon Roy failed trade)? Ugh. Now I have to go check on this.
If we were good enough to only need a scoring 6th man, Waiters would be a heck of a pick. As the current team stands, however, I don't see the point in drafting Waiters.
Ah, Granny. Unless DDub can RUN a team then I don't see the excitement generated. Will he be selected over Lillard? Should he be? #7 is supposedly decided. #8 up for grabs? #s2, 6, 10, 24 all moving parts? New guys in NOLA, Oh!lando, Po'land; Memphis (who decides what, I mean really???); Phx = Nash question?mark??? Man, this is a moving target right through...Dwight's trade? D-Will's signing? Plus KG; Roy to Lakes?
I'm just not sold on the guy. I think height will be an issue. He doesn't appear to have DWade level athleticism... which isn't a huge knock... who does? I could be wrong, but I'd rather take a flyer on someone else. Like Terrence Ross. Who has true/better SG size, was a more efficient scorer, and also provided other intangibles - rebounding, passing, defense. What does Waiters do better than Ross? Probably ball-handling?
Waiters doesn't settle for jumpers as much as Ross, but Ross is a better shooter. Waiters gets to the free throw line and Ross struggles to get to the free throw line. And both can jump like crazy. Personally I'd like Ross more because of his crazy potential.
6'3 with shoes, most peoples real heights and "basketball heights" are different. D Wade is about 6'3, Eric Gordon is about 6'2.
Living where I do I caught more than a couple of his games. He looks real good, but I have seen so many players who look good in the Syracuse system just disappear in the NBA.
I definitely see the resemblance to Wade, his athleticism may not be as high, but it may just be a shorter wingspan and height.