The Achilles heal for the Miami Heat the last four years has been the point guard position. After signing LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in 2010, it was a necessary oversight due to the NBA’s cap. But it wasn’t too much of an issue at the time, since LeBron and Wade were each able to bring the ball up. The one became a three-point shooting and defense position. Until last season, it wasn’t too big a problem.
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Then Miami’s role players aged and the Heat needed more production from Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole. Chalmers struggled to score and defend in the post-season, and was finally benched in the final game of the NBA Finals.
The Heat acquired Shabazz Napier in the first round of the NBA Draft via a draft-nigh trade before re-signing Chalmers. They hinted at Rio playing more 2 and started Cole in the preseason.
After starting all but one preseason game at point guard, it seems Cole has locked down the starting job for the start of the regular season.
Via Jason Lieser, for the Palm Beach Post.
"As the Heat prepare to open the season against Washington on Wednesday (7:30 p.m., Sun Sports), Cole appears to have the job. He has filled in for Mario Chalmers 12 times over the past three years, but this is different."
For Cole, it’s something he’s worked very hard for.
The Cleveland State project entered the league as a hugtle guy and mid-range shooter. Since then, he’s developed a decent three-point shot, improved his ball handling and has leaped Chalmers in terms of on-ball defense.
"“It would be a lifelong dream to come in on opening night as the starter,” he said Sunday. “It would mean a lot. Any time you work hard, you want to be able to see results, and I’ve been able to see them during this preseason and over the years I’ve been here. The other players and coaches have been able to see that, too.”"
Cole will join Wade, Luol Deng, Shawne Wiliams (in place of Josh McRoberts) and Chris Bosh in the starting lineup. Chalmers, meanwhile, will come off the bench as the sixth man.
Cole’s on-ball defense and ability to avoid turnovers–just eight the entire preseason–is what sets him apart from Chalmers. But Chalmers should also thrive playing the 1 and 2 off the bench. The team needs Rio to be a more aggressive scorer, and he’ll be able to do that without worrying about initiating the offense and often against second-string units.
With the Heat’s roster now down to 15 and the starting lineup in place (though still not officially announced), we are all set to start the regular season and a new era in Miami.