In order to improve upon their 2017/18 campaign without having made any significant changes this offseason, the Heat had better hope that Dion Waiters, who missed 52 games last season, becomes this season’s Victor Oladipo, opines Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel.
There are some unquestionable similarities between Oladipo and Waiters. As Winderman notes, both were traded from Oklahoma City, both were top five selections in their respective drafts, and both are now playing for their third NBA franchise.
“You can never predict anything in this league,” Riley said. “You look at what happened last year to Indiana and how good they became getting [Domantas] Sabonis and Oladipo, how they changed, how their mentality changed. They made some good additions. Very few people talk about them.”
Per Winderman, it’s that type of under-the-radar approach from Riley that has defined the Heat’s offseason thus far. Riley seemingly believes that his team is good enough to complete already.
“One thing we have going for us is we have familiarity, we have continuity,” Riley said. “There is a system that’s been intact here. (And) not having Dion Waiters play hardly at all, you’ve got to give it another shot. You can’t just keep ripping things up every year and changing your roster.”
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Magic shooting guard Evan Fournier is happy with the offseason moves made in Orlando, relays Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel. Specifically, he thinks the team got a steal in being able to draft big man Mohamed Bamba at No. 6 and was particularly happy to see teammate Aaron Gordon re-sign a long-term deal.
- Bam Adebayo, the 2017 first-round selection of the Heat, refuses to be labeled as a center, reports Shandel Richardson of the Sun-Sentinel. So much so that he has been concentrating on his offensive game all summer in order to see more minutes at power forward.
- Per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington, John Wall is confident that new Wizards teammate Dwight Howard will be in attendance at an informal (and presumably optional) team minicamp next week.
Sorry ain’t gonna happen, Waiters is not gonna be the new Oladipo, so Mr Riley, what’s plan B? Surely you must have a better plan, not just waiting until pigs fly…
That made no sense. The Pacers were NOT “under the radar” last offseason, the trade was splashy and “ripped things up” like Riley… does not want? Whatever.
And then that splat comparison between Oladipo and Waiters.
IDK whose fault that was, Winderman or Riley, but oof.