Preseason Post-Game Grades: Napier Goes Off, Heat Lose to Cavs in OT
By Wes Goldberg
156. Final. 119. 110. 122
Looking at some of the bubble guys, as opposed to the core players. However, I wanted to point out how good of a game Chris Bosh played, too.
In a little more than 27 minutes, Chris Bosh put up 19 points and eight rebounds. Considering he will play something around 36 minutes per game, that comes out to about 25 points and 11 rebounds. Those aren’t just All-Star numbers, but first-team numbers. <em>Stats: 8-of-15 (0-2 3FG) for 19 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block in 27:13.</em>. C. Miami Heat. CHRIS BOSH. A
A+. Down by 17 points at one point during the game, things changed when Shabazz Napier entered the game–and when the Cavs put all their reserves in. No doubt, tough, Napier had a very positive effect on this team, taking charge in a way I wouldn’t see Chalmers or Cole doing. On one particular play, Napier found Granger–who had been struggling with his shot–on a behind-the-back pass that gave Granger a wide open look. He knocked down the shot. That ability to create points either off the dribble or with the pass is what sets Napier apart from Chalmers and Cole. He missed a couple of three’s at the end that could have won it, but if Napier plays like this against starters he should win the job. <em>Stats: 4-of-11 (2-8 3FG, 6-6 FT) for 16 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 0 turnovers in 19:40.</em>. PG. Miami Heat. SHABAZZ NAPIER
B+. James Ennis showed off his athleticism again, getting to the rim often and putting up 17 points, though mostly against the Cavs’ reserves. Ennis has locked up a spot on the 15-man roster, not only because he brings a dynamic of athleticism that otherwise wouldn’t be there, but also because he has improved his handling and is scoring efficiently. However, he still needs to work on defense. On one play, he hit a long two-pointer but missed his assignment on the other end, which ended in a three-pointer for the Cavs. That’s a -1 and something he needs to work on. Maybe I’m nitpicking, because his plus-minus was plus-13. Again, he played mostly against reserves. <em>Stats: 5-of-6 (1-2 3FG, 6-6 FT) for 17 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 3 turnovers in 21:28.</em>. SF. Miami Heat. JAMES ENNIS
B. Now we’re looking at the one guy in this post who isn’t guaranteed a roster spot. Khem Birch was physical below the basket and was able to get position. He didn’t score a whole bunch, but wasn’t trying to. For someone who is trying to make the team, being comfortable in who he is as a low-post bruiser and defender while not trying to force shots to pad his stat line shows a certain amount of comfort that is admirable. Birch made a huge play at the end of overtime to grab a rebound over two-or-three other Cavs and then quickly find Napier for a chance to tie the game. Napier didn’t make it, but Birch put his team in position to force another overtime. That’s all you can ask for from a guy like Birch. <em>Stats: 1-of-1 for 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block in 13:21. </em>. PF. Miami Heat. KHEM BIRCH
Point Guard Battle Update:
Norris Cole again started the game. He played 22:29, scoring 6 points on 2-of-6, adding two rebounds, two assists and three turnovers. Mario Chalmers came off the bench, this time for Cole rather than as a sixth man in place of Dwyane Wade. He finished with 3 points on 1-of-2 shooting and an assist in about 11 minutes before leaving the game with a hip pointer. We already talked about Napier, who outplayed his competition, but it was in 20 minutes mostly against reserves.
Napier showed an ability to create shots for himself and others that wasn’t demonstrated by Cole or Chalmers. The battle for the starter is still between Cole and Chalmers, neither of whom did enough to set themselves apart. Meanwhile, Napier’s goal isn’t to win the starting job, but to earn more minutes. Too often last season, especially in the playoffs, neither Cole nor Chalmers had a hot hand. This was one of those games, and Napier was able to capitalize and make a difference. I suspect that’s how he will be used in the regular season.