Miami Heat: 5 goals for guard Dion Waiters in 2017-18
By Simon Smith
1. Become an All-Star
With five seasons under his belt, and a full season learning the “Heat Culture,” the time has arrived for Waiters to fully live up to the expectations that befitted him coming out of college.
And that means putting his hat in the ring for an All-Star selection. Furthermore, developments over the summer in the Eastern Conference have opened up several spots in the annual event.
The defections of Paul George, Jimmy Butler and Paul Millsap to the Western Conference have opened up a number of avenues at the wing spots for players up to the challenge of raising their game to the next level. Also, the future of Carmelo Anthony in New York continues to remain in limbo, with a move West to the Houston Rockets still a distinct possibility.
Granted, Waiters is currently third in the pecking order on the Heat roster for an All-Star berth, behind point guard Goran Dragic and center Hassan Whiteside. While Dragic and Whiteside each had terrific seasons last year, their upsides are likely somewhat limited. Dragic is now 31, and Whiteside, while still just 28, plays a position that is not likely to command the recognition considering the manner in which the modern game is played.
On the other hand, Waiters’ best years are still ahead of him. Furthermore, the style head coach Erik Spoelstra has the team playing lends itself tremendously for Waiters to develop his true potential.
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So while cementing himself with the Heat and justifying their investment, is the first step for Waiters, a rise to prominence and an All-Star selection should not be out of the question this season.