Dion Waiters was missing from the Cavaliers’ pregame events on Wednesday, absent from the starting-five introduction and the playing of the national anthem. Few noticed, few cared, until Northeast Ohio Media Group unveiled Waiters’ supposed reasoning, perking the ears of the blue jeans-wearin’, lunch pail-bringin’ American Everyman.

“It’s because of my religion,” said Waiters, a Muslim. “That’s why I stayed in the locker room.”

According to the report, the Syracuse product said he had rededicated himself to his faith and was living in accordance with his belief, which meant he should not be present for the anthem.

Then Waiters, undoubtedly getting grief from Amuricans, cut out the middle man and delivered his side of the story.
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Northeast Ohio Media Group was able to elucidate the misunderstanding after talking with Waiters on Saturday.

Turns out it was an inference issue. The reporter had asked the Cavaliers shooting guard if he planned to continue his pregame ritual. Waiters had responded positively. Only, the scribe was asking about his skipping the anthem, while Waiters believed the question concerned whether he would continue to pray and meditate before games.

A “simple miscommunication,” Waiters said.