Many NBA observers believed that the Cleveland Cavaliers' additions of LeBron James and Kevin Love would push guard Dion Waiters back into a reserve role to provide scoring off the bench.
However, through three games, Waiters has started alongside the star-studded leading cast in Cleveland. Unfortunately, the Cavs are 1-2, and look a bit disjointed on offense. Some believe that a return to the bench would alleviate some of the problems among the starting unit.
"It doesn't matter to me anymore," Waiters said of his role on this team. "Everyone knows what I can do. Starting or not."
Waiters has made it known in the past that he wanted to start, but his ball dominant game caused friction between him and Kyrie Irving. Of course, that was before James and Love came into town and started a culture change.
Waiters now believes that being a starter is just a nominal title. Regardless of when he comes into games, he'll still be playing with high caliber talent.
"I'm still going to be out there with two or three players," Waiters said in relation to James, Love and Irving. "If I come off the bench in the first quarter, at least two of those guys are going to play the whole first quarter regardless. So it doesn't really matter. That's what people don't understand."
It's true that Waiters has struggled some in Cleveland's first three games. He is averaging just 8.3 points and shooting 30 percent from the field. But Waiters isn't as panicked as some nervous Cavs fans.
"I'm still trying to find my way," Waiters told Northeast Ohio Media Group. "As long as I keep putting in the work, I'll be fine."
James has said repeatedly that gelling as a new team is a long-term "process." Internally, the Cavs believe it could take a few months before this team is completely comfortable with one another.
In the meantime, Cleveland is scheduled to take on the Utah Jazz tonight.
