Dion Waiters Traded

Fuggles said:

But you are using the play style exhibited in the pick up game to make your point.

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Ironically the "play style exhibited in the pick up game" is why I didn't think too highly of Drummond's performance either.

Good to see Dion breaking a sweat out there.

When he gets extended minutes he gets in a groove.

Everybody knew that but Mike Brown. Or Mike knows but doesn't care about winning in the present.

Dion's talent is a good pitch to GMs/Coaches/Players that Cavs have potential to make some noise.

I also appreciate these guys redeeming Grant's draft picks in terms of showing what they can do. We might have to wait for that to really happen with some of these guys, they haven't had much time on the floor. But just because Grant was fired, doesn't mean he didn't have some great characteristics as our GM. He took risks that don't pay off right away, and paid the ultimate price. But if these guys live up to their relative draft positions we have to make sure to give Grant some serious credit. That's not easy to do, he put in a lot of work and got it done. And I'm talking talent wise, the debate about fit won't be settled for a while imo.

Anyway, I thought the narrative of Dion and Kyrie don't work together was on hold until we actually see them play together for a lengthy period of time?

Smooth's comment sounds like it was made in November before Dion went into the 6th man role and got inconsistent minutes.

Zen said:

Dions "Classic" interview just was put up

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/video/2014/02/14/140214dionpostgamemov-3149080/

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I enjoyed that interview.

Between Ky and Dion appearing to be getting closer, Dion smiling, and most importantly, understanding most of what Dion was saying, it was a solid interview, raw and uncut! lol

Smooth said:

I hope everyone doesn't let this appearance in an All-Star game cloud their judgment of what Dion is..

Funny thing is that the All-Star game proved exactly what we've known Dion to be: a ball dominant, scoring guard who can look downright dominant when he's on..

Dion's has the ability to play with the ball in his hands and we saw that tonight...

But it still doesn't do anything for my view of Waiters because the real problem is he doesn't do this consistently, his defense is still "eh" and most important, he isn't meshing with the franchise player...

It's fun to be excited about a guy's performance but let's not get too excited over a glorified pick up game...

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I think I've seen some real signs of them meshing these past few games. I hope it continues. Dion is a tremendous talent. So is Kyrie.

OptimusPrime said:

If you watch that video, Waiters isn't even trying to contest Hardaway's shots, but Hardaway is up on Dion with a hand in his face. If this were a real game Dion could have embarrassed the rookie.

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Actually my take away was Hardaway didn't want to confront Dion and put pressure on himself at the line so he would dribble up a couple feet behind and hoist one up to avoid Dion. Dion was forcing the issue and it forced Hardaway to D up. Dion's was much more entertaining. I came away impressed.

Smooth said:

I hope everyone doesn't let this appearance in an All-Star game cloud their judgment of what Dion is..

Funny thing is that the All-Star game proved exactly what we've known Dion to be: a ball dominant, scoring guard who can look downright dominant when he's on..

Dion's has the ability to play with the ball in his hands and we saw that tonight...

But it still doesn't do anything for my view of Waiters because the real problem is he doesn't do this consistently, his defense is still "eh" and most important, he isn't meshing with the franchise player...

It's fun to be excited about a guy's performance but let's not get too excited over a glorified pick up game...

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But what if that isn't my view of Waiters?

He's the best passer on the team. This whole "shoot-first, scorer" just isn't the case.

Rich said:

But what if that isn't my view of Waiters?

He's the best passer on the team. This whole "shoot-first, scorer" just isn't the case.

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I think you are both at an extreme.

He isn't the best passer on the team, and he has a low assist ratio. When he does drive he generally finds an open man with a decent or good pass if the opportunity is there and his scoring option is cut off. He is excellent at making the easy dump pass when a big rotates to him too early, and I would guess that is where the majority of his assists come from.

He isn't a blackhole chucker either, but he is inefficient. As his shot selection improves with experience so should his efficiency.


In his current form he is a streaky inefficient scorer who can make plays for his teammates and who is just as likely to go off in a given game as he is to vanish, generally depending on if his early shot is falling. He shows elite penetrating ability but sub par finishing ability. This is also his second year, if he continues to improve on his weaknesses which he almost certainly will, he should be a solid player.

Smooth said:

I hope everyone doesn't let this appearance in an All-Star game cloud their judgment of what Dion is..

Funny thing is that the All-Star game proved exactly what we've known Dion to be: a ball dominant, scoring guard who can look downright dominant when he's on..

Dion's has the ability to play with the ball in his hands and we saw that tonight...

But it still doesn't do anything for my view of Waiters because the real problem is he doesn't do this consistently, his defense is still "eh" and most important, he isn't meshing with the franchise player...

It's fun to be excited about a guy's performance but let's not get too excited over a glorified pick up game...

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While I agree with most of what you said, I do believe that KI and DW are slowly starting to mesh. It's easy to mesh on a win streak. I think the big question we all want answered is, can they still show the signs of meshing on a losing streak?

Smooth said:

I hope everyone doesn't let this appearance in an All-Star game cloud their judgment of what Dion is..

Funny thing is that the All-Star game proved exactly what we've known Dion to be: a ball dominant, scoring guard who can look downright dominant when he's on..

Dion's has the ability to play with the ball in his hands and we saw that tonight...

But it still doesn't do anything for my view of Waiters because the real problem is he doesn't do this consistently, his defense is still "eh" and most important, he isn't meshing with the franchise player...

It's fun to be excited about a guy's performance but let's not get too excited over a glorified pick up game...

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This is certainly a problem and I hope he can get over being just a "microwave" type player, but the big thing about Dion is that he is not going to back down to a challenge on the court. Whenever we get into the playoffs, I'm not going to worry about whether Dion will show up.

Everyone hating on Dion...god a Cleveland player tears up the National stage and we hate on it...let the kids grow...

Man he looked really comfortable in that interview. Night and day from the one I posted. Trust me, this might seem meaningless of a game, but its gonna be HUGE for his confidence.

Walter White said:

Man he looked really comfortable in that interview. Night and day from the one I posted. Trust me, this might seem meaningless of a game, but its gonna be HUGE for his confidence.

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Love him or hate him, confidence is not something Dion lacks. :chuckles:

First off, you can't deny Dion has amazing talent, and also don't forget he's just in his 2nd year. Second, him and Kyrie have been playing really well together lately, maybe they are starting to figure out how to play off each other? Also, yes Kyrie was going crazy for Dion.. Someone said at 1:27 in the video, but also at the very end after Dion makes his last 3 pointer, Kyrie goes crazy again. Kyrie posted a picture of him and Dion earlier as well, Dion was dancing after Kyrie's 3 against Detroit, then they chest bumped, they wore the same shoes to media day earlier... Maybe they are really starting to click.

Also, isn't Dion the guy no one wanted in the draft? I find that hilarious, being Dion deserved the MVP of the whole game.

Saor said:

Love him or hate him, confidence is not something Dion lacks. :chuckles:

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Well he's never been shy shooting wise, thats for sure. But maybe more will start going in :gap: