Jun 10, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard
Norris Cole(30) dribbles while being defended by San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) during the first half of game three of the 2014 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
2nd Substitution: Norris Cole in for Mario Chalmers/Chris Andersen in for Josh McRoberts
Lineup on the floor: Cole/Granger or Barbosa/Deng/Bosh/Andersen
Notes:
Andersen’s insertion gives Miami a more “traditional” lineup, with Bosh at his natural Power Forward position. Cole spells Chalmers and provides a little more on-ball defense, giving the Heat a nice defensive unit. Clearly, taking McRoberts out weakens the spacing and shooting abilities of the unit but their biggest concern will probably be rebounding. Andersen isn’t the best rebounder at this stage in his career and it will important to see how (and if) he can flourish without a top-notch passer like LeBron James drawing a double-team and feeding him a perfect lob pass.
Possible caveat: If Barbosa signs, he could be inserted into the lineup instead of Cole at this point or he could slide down and allow for Granger to take the other spot. It’s what’s troubling about the rumors concerning Barbosa; his addition will give Miami four point guards (Chalmers, Cole, Barbosa, Napier) on the roster, so someone’s not going to play.