Dion Waiters (All-Rookie First Team)

[Rich]

Kyrie's rookie year has really ruined the average cavs fan perception of a rookies development.

And LeBron's. They were the last two high profile rookies we drafted so we have this skewed viewed of what a rookie should like this early into his first season.

EDIT: Just another example but look how people are killing Austin Rivers. Now, I have no idea if he will end up being a good player or not, but isn't it slightly early to start getting "worried" about him?

[ClevelandRocks8]

Naturally Dion's shots went up tonight because Kyrie is out.

Seems to be a bit of a chucker at times, but not too concerned, as others have pointed out that it is his rookie year.

[MDLT]

Not worried in the slightest. He's a rookie and needs to make smarter choices, but he has great playmaking ability and frankly, his ability to get to the lane is truly at an elite level -- already. Now, he's got to finish better, but I think that will come with time.

He's not going to perfect at this point. But my initial fears about him are completely gone.

[Gimme Some Mo]

Everyone seems to love comparisons in this thread, so....... Larry Hughes?

[DJTJ]

I didn't watch the game tonight, but zero free throws? Is he completely dodging contact?

[Gimme Some Mo]

I didn't watch the game tonight, but zero free throws? Is he completely dodging contact?

Yes. There were multiple times he got to the paint and shot this crazy stepback fade away shoot on the way down looking shot ala Larry Hughes. He had flashes tonight but was bad overall imo.

[NarlCavs]

I think Waiters can play and should have a long career but we all shouldn't be acting like it's a guarantee he's going to be a big time player. He isn't a sure thing as a building block for this franchise. There is talent there and we do need to wait for more development but I'm not 100% sold yet.
Waiters is 16-67 in his last 4 games and his bad games have far outnumbered his good games so far.

[CavsFanJapan]

The queen shot 41% his rookie year but continued to work on it. Dion will be fine. He has a strong work ethic and wants to be great. BS will allow him to grow but guide him to be his best.

[TyGuy]

The queen shot 41% his rookie year but continued to work on it. Dion will be fine. He has a strong work ethic and wants to be great. BS will allow him to grow but guide him to be his best.

They also aloud handchecking and zone defense that season. Perimeter player efficiency was in the toilet that year.

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[TyGuy]

I think Waiters can play and should have a long career but we all shouldn't be acting like it's a guarantee he's going to be a big time player. He isn't a sure thing as a building block for this franchise. There is talent there and we do need to wait for more development but I'm not 100% sold yet.
Waiters is 16-67 in his last 4 games and his bad games have far outnumbered his good games so far.

You get a pass for one season before you become the whipping boy. He has a lot to improve on if he is to become this building block everyone already sees him as.

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[Rich]

They also aloud handchecking and zone defense that season. Perimeter player efficiency was in the toilet that year.

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They allow zone defense now.

And lol, just zero patience with some of you guys. I honestly don't know what it is you wanted/expected to see.

[TyGuy]

They allow zone defense now.

And lol, just zero patience with some of you guys. I honestly don't know what it is you wanted/expected to see.

They aloud handchecking and zone defense that season. I think that might be the only season in nba history to have both. Offense was putrid that season so they kept zone and removed hand check.

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[TyGuy]

They allow zone defense now.

And lol, just zero patience with some of you guys. I honestly don't know what it is you wanted/expected to see.

People would like to see him score other than when he gets hot from deep. When he takes it to the rack he either gets blocked or can't finish. His handles are also a little sloppy. He also has no left hand to speak of. Sure he can devlop these things and I hope he does but everybody has already penciled him in as an all star and our future at 2 guard. I haven't seen enough from him to anoint him.

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[Tornicade]

he had 6 assist. He paced the offense and kept the ball moving. his penetration allowed gee and pargo to park at the arc for open threes.

the guys impacts the game regardless of his shooting. out of 22 shots he forced about three.

had he been hitting the game would of been a blowout

[Baseline Runner]

This month stretch without Kyrie will be good for Dion. He'll be the primary playmaker and scorer on the team, with everything heaped on his shoulders. He'll have to learn through a crucible of fire but after which he should come out the better for it. I wouldn't expect prime Michael Jordan to shoot more than 40% in the current situation that rookie Dion is in and the cast he is surrounded by.