Dion Waiters Ranks Himself Among NBA's Top 5 Shooting Guards
Dion Waiters parlayed a career year into a four-year, $52 million contract with the Miami Heat, so his confidence may no longer need the "irrational" modifier.
When penning a Players' Tribune column titled "The NBA Is Lucky I'm Home Doing Damn Articles" during the playoffs, Waiters wrote, "Hell yeah I do" in response to critics who mock him for thinking he's "the best player in the NBA."
In his defense, he's no longer setting the bar that high. Courtesy of his appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, he fancies himself as the league's fourth-best shooting guard behind James Harden, Klay Thompson and Dwyane Wade.
According to ESPN.com, 24 players at the position tallied more estimated wins added than Waiters' 2.8 last season. Yet no advanced metrics are needed to know Jimmy Butler belongs on the list, and Waiters—although now a quality starter—most certainly does not.
CJ McCollum at least belongs in the discussion. The Portland Trail Blazers star, who averaged 23.0 points per game last season, scoffed at Waiters' ranking.
Yes, McCollum is better at basketball. No, Waiters' self-assurance will never wane, but that belief led the 25-year-old to a massive payday. At least he didn't place himself No. 1.
[Twitter, h/t Uproxx]
