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A couple seasons removed from superstar LeBron James’ departure for the Miami Heat, which relegated them to the NBA’s also-ran category, the Cleveland Cavaliers excited fans at June 28’s draft, taking Dion Waiters with the fourth overall pick.
The 19th-and-Carpenster-streets native, a two-year matriculator at New York-based Syracuse University, will hoist jump shots for the Ohio franchise, whose 21-45 record placed it 13th in the 15-team Eastern Conference.
As forecasters had predicted, the New Orleans Hornets selected University of Kentucky forward Anthony Davis first, but the remaining 13 lottery choices included a few surprises. Many mock boards had Waiters, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard who briefly attended South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St., going anywhere from eighth to 14th, yet Cleveland gave the 20-year-old an early meeting with commissioner David Stern at Newark, N.J.’s Prudential Center. Having not worked out for any squad, he left matters to agent Rob Pelinka.
“I just tried to stay as stress-free as I could,” Waiters said of pre-draft vibes at last week’s introductory press conference. “I’m blessed to be in this situation, and I can’t wait to get to Cleveland.”
When he hits the floor at Quicken Loans Arena, he will hope to incite an instant turnaround for the Cavaliers, who feature Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving, already a close friend to Waiters.
“I’m excited to play alongside my brother,” the Big East Conference’s Sixth Man of the Year said. “I’ve known him for six or seven years, and we have been texting and talking forever. He was the first person that greeted me off the stage and gave me a big hug and told me ‘Welcome to Cleveland.’ That meant a lot to me.”
In its post-draft analysis, nba.com noted that Waiters “gives the Cavs a needed dynamic scorer.” The Central Divisioners struggled mightily this year, finishing 29 games behind the Chicago Bulls and 25th in scoring among the association’s 30 units at 93 points per game and 26th in points allowed at 100.2. While a member of the Orange, Waiters often displayed amazing offensive skills, while striving to improve his talents as a ball hound. As coach Jim Boeheim’s chief reserve, he had his patience rewarded, amassing averages of 12.6 points, 2.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 37 contests. The team won a school-record 34 duels and led the polls for six weeks.
“You really can’t listen to a lot of people because you never know what can happen in certain situations,” he said of discussions on how his game might mesh with the professional ranks. “Somebody telling me I’m going 15 to 20, I don’t listen to that. So it’s all about hard work and knowing what you put in.”
Though he turned a deaf ear to prognosticators, his allegiance will definitely go to Cleveland head coach Byron Scott. In two years, the 2008 NBA Coach of the Year, who led the New Jersey, now Brooklyn, Nets to the Finals in ’02 and ’03, has guided the Cavaliers to 40 wins. A three-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, Scott stresses accountability and commitment.
“I just want to do whatever I have to do to help us win,” Waiters said. “Coach, he’s been here before, and he’s played in the NBA, so it’s my job to pick his brain as much as I can to get better in the league and just work hard and try to get wins and one day get a championship.”
While Waiters kicked off a successful evening for Syracuse, with center Fab Melo and forward Kris Joseph heading to the Boston Celtics with the 22nd and 51st picks, respectively, the night was not perfect for the institution. Point guard Antonio “Scoop” Jardine, a graduate of Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., went undrafted. The 6-foot-2 floor general broke his right foot June 22 while trying out for the Utah Jazz and had surgery June 26. He could still land a spot in the league via a free-agent contract.
That route to the world of thundering arenas and adoring fans could apply to Temple University graduate Ramone Moore, too. A Southern alumnus, the guard had picked up second-round interest but was not among the 60 selected athletes.
The Sixers nabbed St. John’s University forward Maurice Harkless with the 15th pick and acquired Mississippi State University forward Arnett Moultrie from the Heat.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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