The Case for Starting Norris Cole Over Mario Chalmers

Following a very disappointing post-season by Mario Chalmers, the Miami Heat spent their first-round pick on acquiring Shabazz Napier in the NBA Draft. Add Napier to the still-developing Norris Cole, and Chalmers could feel some heat behind him.

The Heat benched Chalmers in the last game of the Finals, but would they bench him the entire year?

Answering that question is Ira Winderman, of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

"Based on the way last season finished for Chalmers, I think Spoelstra believes that open competition could get Chalmers to reach another level, which certainly will be needed in the absence of LeBron James. I can’t fathom the Heat essentially benching Chalmers after moving with such vigor to re-sign him as soon as James left. And, remember, Norris Cole could be a free agent next summer.Beyond contracts, I think Cole’s explosiveness sets up better off the bench, as a change of pace, which he provided in Saturday’s exhibition loss to the Pelicans in Louisville. It did, after all, work through two championship seasons and then another trip to the NBA Finals.The wild card, of course, is Shabazz Napier, who has the potential to offer the Heat low-cost stability at the position for years to come, which also could be a factor when considering the Heat’s spending approach to 2016 free agency.But I will give you this, through the first game of the preseason, Cole has been better than Chalmers. But it’s early, very early."

Winderman sums up a pretty good argument here, but in life after LeBron James I don’t think Chalmers’ job is as solid as he is letting on. Yes, they did move quickly to re-sign him after James left, but didn’t seem as inclined before James signed with the Cavaliers. In fact, they were seeking an upgrade in Kyle Lowry and even explored signing Eric Bledsoe.

May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) pushes the ball inside the key against Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Heat re-signed Rio in order to maintain the remaining continuity on the roster, and because he was simply the best remaining point guard option on the market.

His status as the incumbent starter gives him the inside track but, as Winderman admits, Cole has outplayed him through one scrimmage and a preseason game.

I get the idea that Cole brings a spark off the bench, but I would argue that Chalmers would be even “sparkier.” Who, among all of Miami’s players, would probably feel like he wants the ball more? Rio. Put him on a second unit that he could run, and Rio could be the big fish. He’s a more versatile scorer and ball handler who could elevate a second unit.

According to NBAwowy.com, Chalmers averaged more points per shot (1.13) playing with bench players than he did with the starting lineup (1.09). The difference between his points per possession was even greater (1.13 to 0.95). He was also much more efficient with the second unit, Usage Minus Turnover rating of 17.4 percent (this stat is like a usage rating, but does not include turnovers. This represents a more efficient version of the usage rating) compared to a USG(-TOV) of 12.4 with the starters.

Cole, meanwhile, is a much stronger on-ball defender and is developing a three-point shot. Having his defense at the start of game, especially when facing some of the NBA’s better point guards, would be  a major asset to the Heat starting games.

That would leave Chalmers available to come off the bench as a sixth man, where he could thrive. Compare his numbers to Jamal Crawford, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.

Jamal Crawford: 30.3 MPG, 14.7 FGA, 41.6 FG%, 6.5 3PA, 36.1 3P%, 18.6 PPG, 27.2 USG%

Mario Chalmers: 29.8 MPG, 7.7 FGA, 45.4 FG%, 3.1 3PA, 38.5 3P%, 9.8 PPG, 17.4 USG%

Stats via basketball-reference.com

Crawford averaged nearly twixe as many field goal attempts and three-pointers lastseason, which came out to nearly twice as many points. His usage rating (the amount of possessions that player uses while on the floor) was nearly 10 percent more, too. Meanwhile, they played roughly the same amount of minutes. The Clippers used Crawford more efficiently than the Heat used Chalmers.

Sure, Crawford comes off the bench as a shooting guard, but the Heat already said they were going to experiment with Rio at the 2-guard spot. The Heat could use him a combo guard and allow him to play the same number of minutes, but spread between the 1 and 2.

Finally, take a look at the shooting percentages. Chalmers is a more efficient shooter than Crawford, so he could be even better in this spot.

Look, I realize I am one of Cole’s biggest supporters, but I truly do believe he should be starting over Chalmers. If you don’t have an elite point guard, you better be able to defend them. Cole can do that. Chalmers, meanwhile, could thrive as a sixth man. Why not see if you could reinvent Rio? We know what we have with him. There is no better time that now.