- Bam Adebayo reveals he didn’t recruit Donovan Mitchell to Miami Heat
- Former NBA executive says Bam Adebayo’s defense has not been as ‘fearsome’ this season as it was in previous 2 campaigns
- Report: Omer Yurtseven cleared for high-impact work with hope to return after All-Star break
- Brian Windhorst thinks the Miami Heat need to make a trade because they have ‘one of the worst benches in the league’
- Report: Teams continue to call Miami Heat to gauge Kyle Lowry’s trade status
- Jimmy Butler makes heartfelt post for kid who traveled far to see him play: ‘Incredible kid that has an amazing life ahead of him’
- Kyle Lowry speaks out on trade rumors involving him and complaints from Miami Heat fans about his scoring
- Report: Heat began talking to Timberwolves about possible Kyle Lowry-D’Angelo Russell trade in December
- Shaquille O’Neal leaves Bam Adebayo off of his All-Star reserve ballot
- NBA executives believe the Miami Heat may not be willing to part with Caleb Martin for Cam Reddish
Tristan Thompson Says Miami Heat ‘Need’ Dion Waiters to Make Playoffs
- Updated: January 3, 2019
After Miami’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, veteran big man Tristan Thompson had some definitive words about who the Heat will need in order to make the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Appropriately, the player Thompson was talking about – Dion Waiters – had just made his long-awaited return to an NBA game after missing over a year due to an ankle injury.
Thompson, a former teammate of Waiters in Cleveland, reminded everyone just how important of a player Waiters can be.
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“He’s a very talented wing player in our league,” said Thompson. “He’s very confident. He’s a Philly guy ’til the day he dies. I’ve always been a fan of Dion. I’m happy he got back out there, he’s healthy, back in shape. They’re going to need him down in Miami if they want to make a run at the playoffs because he brings a different dynamic for their team, kind of different than anyone else. He’s the kind of guy that if he gets going early, he can change the whole game. They’re lucky to have him.”
While he didn’t necessarily change the outcome of Wednesday’s 117-95 win, Waiters reminded fans how vital of a player he can be. Midway through the second quarter, he checked in for Miami for the first time since Dec. 22, 2017 and immediately made an impact. He assisted on a Derrick Jones Jr. 3-pointer before hitting a long 3-pointer of his own.
After a full year away from the court, it was good to see Dion Waiters check into last night's game with 'MIAMI' across his chest!
Welcome Back, @dionwaiters3! pic.twitter.com/b9n6btlLOE
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 3, 2019
He finished with seven points, three assists, and two rebounds in 11 minutes.
Exactly what role Waiters plays on this current Heat team remains to be seen, as the team’s revamped rotation has won seven of its last 10 games. Six of those wins were without the 27-year-old on the court.
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