Los Angeles Lakers guard Dion Waiters has a new catchphrase that is quickly catching on.
Whenever he lines up for a three-point shot you’re likely going to hear some hollering from the Lakers bench.
Expect to hear the Lakers bench yelling “say Cheese!” whenever Waiters takes a shot.
🇺🇸 Another positive game for Dion Waiters in a Lakers uniform. And now he’s explaining to media why he became “Say Cheese”
🇮🇹 Altra buona partita per Waiters coi Lakers. Tanto che ora sta spiegando perché lo chiamano Say Cheese #NBA pic.twitter.com/wnaf5OAtKe
— Davide Chinellato (@dchinellato) July 25, 2020
“‘Say Cheeeeese,’ you got to stretch that out. That’s new,” says Waiters.
The new catchphrase came from fellow teammate shooting guard Danny Green.
Green took Waiters’ nickname as “Philly Cheese” and turned it into a camera-friendly slogan.
How Waiters Got The Nickname
The nickname, “Philly Cheese,” goes back to his days with the Miami Heat.
He was given the nickname by his former teammate center Hassan Whiteside.
Waiters had been with the Heat since the 2016 season through the beginning of the 2019-2020 campaign.
He only played in three games with the Heat before being traded.
His career in Miami was derailed by three suspensions and countless issues with team rules.
The 28-year-old will look to rebound with the Lakers during the restart.
Waiters in LA
He was signed by the Lakers in March, but wasn’t able to get on the floor before the league shutdown.
During his first appearance in Orlando, Waiters dropped 21 points, six rebounds and two assists through 33 minutes in a scrimmage game.
Waiters wasn’t expected to have a huge role with the Lakers, but some things have changed.
Lakers have lost guard Rajon Rondo due to a thumb injury and Avery Bradley has decided to opt-out of the restart.
Rajon Rondo will undergo surgery after suffering a fractured right thumb and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/Haog03cCwo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 13, 2020
It does not sound like Rondo is going to be back until the postseason has started.
That means, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso, J.R. Smith, and Waiters will be asked to step up.
Waiters mentioned that he welcomes competition and knows everyone on the team can compete.
“When guys’ numbers are called, you got to be ready. We got a lot of guys. You just never know, any given night, it could be anybody,” says Waiters.
It sounds like Waiters is embracing the new name and his new role with the Lakers.
“The vibe like that, that camaraderie, the guys cheering you on, calling your name, ‘Philly Cheese,’ ‘Say Cheese,’ when you make a shot,” Waiters said.
Waiters goes on to mention that he is thankful to have a bunch of teammates who support him.
It’s nice to see Waiters doing well after his career was in a bit of jeopardy after those suspensions.
Hopefully he’ll be able to make an impact with the Lakers during the playoffs.
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