Los Angeles Lakers: 3 role players who must step up

Lakers role players who must step up: Dion Waiters

Dion Waiters’ season could end up resembling the movie arc of a stereotypical Disney sports movie.

You’ve got the hopeful beginning—Dion started the year fighting for a starting role on a much improved Miami Heat squad. Then you’ve got the downward spiral—Dion was suspended three times during the season, the longest of which was ten games for chewing THC gummies on a flight. You have the commonplace rock bottom moment—Waiters was traded from the Heat to the Grizzlies and immediately bought out. Next, is the start of the journey back to success—Dion Waiters was signed by the Lakers right before the coronavirus halted the season. Now, all we’re missing in the story is the heroic ending.

Is there a heroic ending coming for Dion Waiters? Things couldn’t have shaped up any better for Waiters to transform into a postseason star. Avery Bradley, the Lakers starting point guard, decided not to go to Orlando and finish the season with the Lakers. A few days ago, Rajon Rondo, the Lakers backup point guard, broke his thumb and will be out at least eight weeks.

You’ve got respect the way Dion Waiters owned up to his mistakes this year. Here’s what he had to say in a Players Tribune article he wrote about his marijuana problems this season:

"“You lie to yourself. You hide things. You’re saying it’s all good — to your homies, to your family, to yourself. But it’s a lie. You don’t want to touch your phone. You don’t want to read what anybody is saying about you. Your body literally feels different. You’re just not you. Don’t matter how hard you are. Hard got nothing to do with it. You can’t bark back, you feel me? Who you barkin’ at? It’s just you.”"

You’ve also got to respect Dion Waiters’ game when he’s right in the head. As Bill Simmons would say, he’s one of the best “irrational confidence” guys in the NBA. Dion Waiters’ “irrational confidence” and shot-making ability are exactly what the Lakers’ second unit needs, and it’s also something that LeBron’s been dying to find.

Before coronavirus, the Lakers offense was sadly predictable when LeBron James sat. The Purple and Gold surrounded Anthony Davis with Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo, or Alex Caruso on the perimeter and placed Dwight Howard in the middle. One of the perimeter players would dump the ball to AD, and he’d immediately get double-teamed. He’d either shoot a contested jumper or pass the ball to an open perimeter player and, more often than not, watch the open player brick his jumper.

Dion Waiters has only played three games this season, so obviously, this has been a down year for the shooting guard. However, in the past, he’s been a guy who can swing a game with his outside shot. Over the past four seasons, Waiters has averaged just under six shots from beyond the arc per game on 38 percent shooting. Waiters shows no fear, and under normal circumstances, his jumper is a threat, but when he gets on a roll, his jumper is death.

Dion Waiters must put all of the mental problems that led to his three suspensions this year with the Miami Heat behind him. Waiters has to find that “irrational confidence” he once had.  With Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo out, the Lakers will depend on Waiters to help spread the floor for AD when LeBron sits. Plus, if Waiters confidence wakes up, he’ll be able to help take some of the shot creation responsibility from LBJ during late-game situations.

If Dion Waiters goes on a hot streak from deep against the Clippers and the Bucks, barring any significant injuries, the Lakers will win the title this year—it’s as simple as that.