MIAMI — Nine months after major ankle surgery, nearly a year since he played NBA basketball, and seemingly a lifetime removed from his memorable 2017 season, Dion Waiters received something of a wake-up call. Waiters, in the midst of an arduous rehab process, showed up to the Heat’s training facility in mid-November for what he thought was going to be yet another grueling workout. He was in store for something worse.
“I’m not running things today,” said Miami assistant Anthony Carter. “Coach is.”
From his office emerges Pat Riley, trading his Armani suit for athletic gear from head to toe—black shorts, black shirt, and a pair of trainers.