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Dion Waiters is generally keeping a low profile as the Cavaliers determine his best role on the transformed 2014-15 roster.

(Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Dion Waiters took a stroll on the Copacabana beach Wednesday afternoon and was all smiles as the high 80s sun brushed down.

He was quietly en route to catching up with his teammates LeBron James, Mike Miller and James Jones. Quiet is not what usually comes to mind when you think of Waiters. He's known for speaking his mind.

Believe it or not, he knows when it's the right time to go mute.

That was apparent when Andrew Wiggins, the Cavaliers' 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick, was still a member of the team. Wiggins viewed himself as a two guard, the same position Waiters plays.

Although Wiggins was rumored to being dealt to Minnesota in a package for Kevin Love, in early July things were not that set in stone. Waiters publicly voiced his desire to start rather than coming off of the bench. Something had to give.

Most believed the top draft choice would get the start alongside James. Waiters filling that sixth man role seemed inevitable. After his initial outburst, Waiters went silent. It was if he knew something was going to happen.

Then it did – Wiggins was traded.

"I know what's going on so I didn't really pay the critics no mind," Waiters told Northeast Ohio Media Group. "Everybody else is on the outside looking in. I'm on the inside looking out. I wasn't worried about nothing the whole summer. So when everything was coming out, I let them talk. I was just continuing to work out. I wasn't losing any sleep."

When asked if management had assured him he would be the starting two before Wiggins was shipped out, Waiters reverted back to being his honest, forthcoming self.

"Of course," Waiters responded with a laugh. "I wasn't worried about nothing, man. It was going to be whatever it was going to be."

This proves Waiters can tone it down when needed. He's not comfortable doing it, but he's more than capable.

Last week Washington's John Wall and Bradley claimed to be the best backcourt in the game and Waiters was asked about it. He gave a candid response: "That's nonsense."

Some jabs were exchange back and forth, but nothing more. It'll definitely make the Cavaliers-Wizards games more appealing. Nonetheless, this is exactly the type of element Waiters prefers. He favors a raucous atmosphere; that's what gets him motivated.

"Everything was too quiet so I had to stir up something with Washington," Waiters said. "People have been missing the action so I had to stir up something. You know me. But at the end of the day, I'm here. I'm ready. I'm ready for war. I was born ready. We're all ready."

In a preseason-opening win over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Sunday, Waiters registered 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting in 24 minutes. James said at the start of training camp that if the new-look Cavaliers got off to a slow start, chances are Waiters would receive the blunt of the criticism.

Out of the starters, it was reasonably expected that Waiters would have to adjust his game the most with the new pieces brought on. He says that hasn't been his experience thus far.

"Not really," he said. "I've been able to play my game. I've been able to attack when I want to, shoot when I want to shoot. So, nothing has really changed. We've been jelling well because everybody knows their roles. As long as we take care of what we need to take care of we'll be fine."

As the most hyped preseason game, their meeting with the Miami Heat, looms on Saturday, Waiters says the team is focused on doing something special this year and says that it goes beyond beating their second preseason opponent.

His mindset seems to be in the right place. He's ready to prove that he can be a key contributor on a winning team. But before he embarks on that journey, allow him to remind you one last time that he wasn't sitting the bench.

"It's funny how the tables are turned," Waiters said.