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Dion Waiters of the Miami Heat gave his team a much-needed spark against the Boston Celtics. After the game, however, he downplayed his efforts and said that it was simply part of his job.
Per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Waiters, who just played his seventh game back from a left ankle injury, believes that his priority is to focus on the game and be ready. He also shared his current mindset:
“My job out there is to play basketball. So I'm at a point like that right now, where [I receive] constant support from family, friends. Just stay with it and focus on the game and everything will take care of itself.”
In the 107-99 loss to the Celtics, Waiters came off the bench and contributed 18 points (8-16 FG, 2-7 3Pt) — a team-high, as well as two rebounds, one assist and one steal across 26 minutes. In the previous game, a 117-103 win over the Chicago Bulls, Waiters logged in 22 minutes and scored 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field and 2-of-7 from downtown.
Waiters seems to have calmed down after complaining of his lack of playing time. In an expletive-filled rant after the Heat's blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Waiters said after playing just 12 minutes:
“[Expletive] patience!” said Waiters, per David Akerman of Heat Nation. “I want to play. I’ve been patient long enough. What do I got to be patient for? Come on man. I’ve been patient. I think everybody knows that. It’s time. What are we waiting for? If I’m out there, play me.”
The Heat fined him for his actions and have since granted his wish to log in more minutes. Hopefully, ankle problems won't come back to haunt him as his scoring gives the Heat that much needed boost in every game.
