NBA Rumors: Dion Waiters has epiphany of ‘immature’ behavior with Miami Heat
Former Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters recently opened up on his exit from the league in the 2019-2020 season. Battling depression and anxiety at the time, Waiters began his freefall three years ago, when he was suspended on three different occasions by the Heat.
Once, he expressed displeasure about his current role on the team on his social media. Another time, he consumed THC-infused edibles. The third time, he took a sick day to celebrate his birthday.
The Heat finally had enough of Waiters’ drama and traded him to Memphis; he was eventually waived.
Waiters revealed his fight with his inner demons with Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, and he also took accountability for his “immature” and “irresponsible” actions.
Dion Waiters: "I was so irresponsible and immature. I let the Heat down. They were good to me. I did not handle it well at all."
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) July 12, 2023
Waiters held a private workout for NBA teams in Vegas this week. https://t.co/DSP707xAC0
There’s no perfect time to relay one’s regrets, but the timing of Waiters’ tell-all interview seems a little suspect.
The 31-year-old held a private workout last week in front of a dozen NBA scouts and executives and, with the help of his agent, is looking to make a comeback to the NBA.
At the very least, Waiters may simply want to make amends for the way he and the Heat parted ways. That much is commendable.
NBA Rumors: Damian Lillard clarifies ‘accidental’ social media like criticizing Blazers owner
The main character of this year’s NBA offseason, Damian Lillard, has made headlines again, this time for his sketchy social media activity.
Amid rampant rumors of Lillard’s potential trade, the Portland Trail Blazers star was caught red-handed for liking a tweet that encouraged Jody Allen, who runs the Trail Blazers as the executor of Paul Allen’s estate, to sell the franchise.
Specifically, the tweet said Allen should sell to Nike founder Phil Knight, and Knight would then somehow convince Lillard to stay in Portland.
Last Friday, Lillard posted a video calling his Twitter like a “mishap” and stressed how much he respected Jody Allen.
Lillard described his relationship with Allen:
"“Behind closed doors, regardless, and I would never disrespect Jody or anything like that so it was a real… literally a mishap. I would never do no funny s— like that or try to be funny in no way like that. As far as Jody, she’s been very solid to me in many ways that has nothing to do with the Trail Blazers or basketball. Don’t run with that at all. Jody has been very solid to me.”"
https://twitter.com/TwoWayDav/status/1680044693290090496
As much as Lillard is trying to force his way out of Portland, he clearly doesn’t want to leave on nasty terms.
Lillard made his public request to be traded to the Heat at the start of July, and Portland can either try to accommodate his request or find another suitable trade partner. Most Trail Blazers fans understandably want to see the star guard stay in Portland for the rest of his career, albeit selling the franchise wouldn’t change much regarding Lillard’s future.
Dame wants out. No hard feelings against Portland.
NBA Rumors: Lakers’ Darvin Ham fires back at Mike Malone, sends clear message
LeBron’s changing his jersey number. Darvin Ham’s clapping back against the haters. The Los Angeles Lakers are either setting themselves up for the best or the worst season in 2023.
On a recent episode of the “#thisleague UNCUT” podcast, Lakers coach Darvin Ham made an appearance and started defending his team’s honor.
This summer, the results of the 2022-23 playoffs have not been forgotten. The Denver Nuggets steamrolled the Lakers in their championship run, and after the laughable series sweep, one television host started calling Nuggets coach Mike Malone the Lakers’ “daddy”.
Ham took offense to this term.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1679578613169938432
In his first year, Ham appeared to be the stable, defensive-minded coach the Lakers needed after going 2-10 to start the season. He led the Lakers to an odds-defying postseason campaign in which L.A. downed the bear-poking Memphis Grizzlies and last year’s champs, the Golden State Warriors.
Heading into his second year, Ham and the Lakers could be poised for another successful playoff run with several key players extended and a healthy duo of LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Maybe Ham can use this summer to figure out how to guard Nuggets’ Jamal Murray and to teach his team how to flop better. New year, new Lakers.