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Dion Waiters: 'I'd rather go 0-for-30 than 0-for-9'

Steve Mitchell / USA TODAY Sports

Say what you want about Dion Waiters, but one thing he doesn't lack is confidence.

The reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week recently took a page out of Kobe Bryant's book to explain his approach on the court, saying he'd be fine with a terrible shooting performance as long as he doesn't lose his "Philly cheese swag."

"I'd rather go 0-for-30 than 0-for-9 because you go 0-for-9 that means you stopped shooting. That means you lost confidence," Waiters told Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

While the quote may be Kobe's, it's likely even more indicative of Waiters' career. Despite playing with future Hall of Famers in LeBron James and Kevin Durant in previous seasons, he has never been one to pass up an open look, even when few would argue he's the best player on the court.

After struggling to land a multi-year contract in free agency last summer, the 25-year-old has put together arguably his best season as a pro in 2016-17, averaging 15.3 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.4 rebounds on 40.6 percent shooting in 29 games for the Heat.

It's almost certain that Waiters' efficiency will drop after he shot well over his career high these past couple weeks, but, as we now know, that likely won't stop him from shooting.

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