Sport Heat suspend Dion Waiters for season opener over conduct

MIAMI (AP) — Shooting guard Dion Waiters has been suspended by the Miami Heat for their season opener against Memphis on Wednesday night for what was described as "conduct detrimental to the team."

© Getty CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat brings the ball up the court against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on October 09, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Spoelstra on Robinson: 1 of best shooters on this planet

Duncan Robinson admits his rookie year was overwhelming. “Last year I was just trying to keep my head above water, in all honesty,” Robinson said, with the Heat set to continue its preseason with a home game against the Hawks on Monday. “There’s so much being thrown at you. It’s like drinking through a fire hose, sort of. But this year, I just feel like I’m much more comfortable. Then it just becomes, how can I help this team win? Whatever that means, I’m willing to embrace.

Dion will not be returning to the court until the HEAT medical team and training staff deem him healed, rehabbed and physically conditioned for all basketball Celtics should remember, that Dion Waiters foot issues, actually stem from him breaking his ankle in college. He has had ankle and foot problem

Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters will begin this season as he finished last season - unable to play. " Dion will not be returning to the court until the Heat medical team and training staff deem him healed, rehabbed and physically conditioned for all basketball activities," Riley said.

"There were a number of unacceptable incidents this week, culminating with his unprofessional conduct on the bench last night," Heat President Pat Riley said in a statement Saturday night. "As a consequence, I feel we had to suspend him."

Waiters got into a discussion with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra during Friday night's game, though the Heat did not specifically address what any of the incidents were.

Waiters played only 10 minutes in Friday night's preseason finale — nine players got more, not even including Jimmy Butler, who got the night off for rest. Waiters averaged 14.3 minutes per game in four preseason appearances.

Waiters is the second player to face publicly announced punishment from the Heat already this season. James Johnson was not permitted to attend training camp because his level of conditioning was not at the team's standards, and returned to practice late in the preseason.

Waiters is entering his fourth season with the Heat. He's missed 126 of a possible 246 games over the last three years, largely because of ankle injuries and a subsequent surgery on his foot and ankle.

Waiters averaged 12.0 points last season in 44 games. The Heat said he will be permitted to return to the team on Thursday.

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