Syracuse Basketball: 5 Things Dion Waiters Must Improve before Entering the NBA

With his recent decision to enter the 2012 NBA Draft, Syracuse guard Dion Waiters has turned the page on his Orange career and must now work hard to maximize his draft stock.

As one of the most physically gifted athletes in the Big East, Waiters showed that he has the athleticism and raw talent to be a decent role player at the next level.

But what are some of the areas he needs to work on this spring and summer as he transitions into the NBA?

Let's take a look at five things Waiters must improve on as he turns pro.

Penetration Decision-Making

Syracuse was an extremely dangerous team when Dion Waiters decided to drive the ball to the hoop. He was the most physical and athletic finisher for the Orange this season.

However, he didn't always make the best decisions when driving to the hoop. Sometimes he attacked with reckless ambition, taking on multiple defenders while teammates were open. Other times, he drove in and elevated without a plan, resulting in a jump-pass turnover.

Waiters needs to improve in the area of diagnosing plays and knowing when to push the envelope.

Man-to-Man Defensive Rotation

Just like any Syracuse player entering the professional ranks, Dion Waiters will need to work on his man-to-man help defense.

Playing defense in the NBA is an extremely difficult duty. Only the best teams and players are successful at coordinating seamless rotations. 

Waiters will need to be alert and willing to learn during the pre-draft camps and summer league training sessions.

Two years ago, he was guarding high school boys. Now he'll be asked to rotate over to help stop Dywane Wade.

Shot Selection and Facilitating

With a 6'4" frame and a combo-guard skill set, Dion Waiters might get caught in between point guard and shooting guard roles in the NBA. He's not big enough to be a full-time wing, and he's not adept enough to be a starting floor general.

To maximize his impact and secure a major role on a team, he must prove that he can be a quarterback out on the floor, serving as an alternative point guard.

Waiters will also need to refine his shot selection and consistency, especially from long range. He shot 36 percent this season on three-pointers, which isn't bad, but it leaves room for improvement.

Moving Without the Ball

When Waiters is called upon to get open during set plays, he does a good job of working without the ball.

Otherwise, he's not the most proficient player when it comes to moving to the right spots on the court and making the defense work.

This is an aspect that he must upgrade if he wants to get more scoring chances and playing time at the next level.

Body Language

When the Orange were in a groove, Dion Waiters was a fun teammate and full of energy.

But when things weren't going well, Waiters would often exude negative emotion toward his teammates and even Jim Boeheim.

He'd shake his head in disgust at a teammate's blunder. He'd display negative body language when Syracuse was in a funk. He sometimes had an annoyed look on his face when Boeheim was chastising him.

All of these behaviors don't build a team, and they won't help him at all as a rookie in the NBA. Waiters must learn this.