Arriving in Oklahoma City mid-way through the season, uncertain of his role or future, Dion Waiters could have been apprehensive. Instead, he felt confident and upbeat, because of the way in which he was welcomed to the Thunder.
Although he didn’t get to play alongside Kevin Durant for many games due to Durant’s foot injury, Waiters was greeted with open arms by the 2014 MVP, All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook and the rest of the Thunder roster last winter. After he joined the squad in February, Waiters showed his ability to attack off the dribble and knock down timely shots, including a crucial three-pointer with 23 seconds remaining in his home debut, a win over the Utah Jazz.
Just 23 years old, there is plenty for Waiters to work on with his game moving forward, and he isn’t shy about revealing that he is focused on improving on every level. He showed toughness as a man-to-man defender and an ability to get north-south in his attacks to the rim, but wants to be more consistent all around – as a playmaker, scorer and on defense.
“I’m trying to get better and work on every aspect of my game,” Waiters said. “Catch and shoot, off the dribble, post up and finishing. I’m really trying to perfect my craft and propel my game so I can take it to the next level.”
As a part of that process, Waiters ventured down to Orlando in early July, both to help teammates like Durant and Anthony Morrow cheer on the Thunder’s Summer League team and also to hone his craft. He worked out with the new coaching staff and initiated the process of getting familiar with the men who will be preparing him for the rigorous 82-game schedule this year. Building bonds off the court is equally important to developing connections in the work place, so Waiters kicked off that process early.
“It was best to come down here to be around the team, work out with the coaches and get acclimated to everything,” Waiters explained. “Everybody is cool so far. You talk to them and get to know them and tell them a side of my story that they didn’t know. I get to hear a side of their story that I didn’t know. It’s just communicating and getting to know one another right now.”
His work with the coaches will only increase as training camp arrives in the fall, but so far Waiters has been impressed by new head coach Billy Donovan, along with Mo Cheeks, Monty Williams and Anthony Grant, assistant coaches the Thunder added this offseason.
“I think they did a hell of a job as far as coaches, bringing in guys with experience who have been there before,” Waiters said. “They know what they’re doing. For a guy like myself, a young guy, I need those type of people around me so I can pick their brain.”
As last season progressed and the soon-to-be fourth-year veteran got more comfortable, Waiters started to find his groove. Over the final 14 games of the 2014-15 campaign, he scored 16.4 points on 43.8 percent shooting, including a 41.5 percent from the three-point line. In addition, Waiters grabbed 3.4 rebounds, dished out 2.5 assists and made 1.1 steals per game.
All of his work this summer will prepare him for whatever role Donovan and the coaching staff require once the season rolls around. In 47 games with the Thunder last year he played extended minutes – 30.3 per game – at the shooting guard and small forward positions, partly due to the rash of injuries the team faced. With a loaded backcourt full of capable players, Waiters has the chance to battle for minutes, find his niche and excel in a role geared towards his strengths.
“I’m really excited for the start of the season here to be able to go through training camp with the guys,” Waiters explained. “Last year was good for a person like me. In that short period of time, I gained a lot out of it. I just can’t wait to get started with everybody back healthy. It should be fun.”
“We have to be out there on the same accord,” Waiters continued. “If you look at our team, we don’t have any missing links. We have everything that we need. It’s up to us to go out and build that chemistry on and off the court and go out there and get it done.”