A Cold World In Cole’s World

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For the Heat it’s Norris Cole, I’m anticipating more minutes for him this series. I don’t believe in Chalmers guarding Parker 1 on 1. — Brendan Taylor (@ThatboyBTaylor) June 6, 2014

As you can see by the tweet above I was high on Norris Cole being an x-factor this series, it’s been a very rough 2 games for him but I still think he will make a positive impact somewhere along the line in this series. He moves as well laterally as any point guard in the league with exception of maybe Kemba Walker. He just gets after it defensively and if you watched the Indiana series the Miami Heat’s defensive intensity as a whole always seem to pick up any time he was on the floor. I don’t believe in Mario Chalmers ability to guard Tony Parker 1 on 1 and because of that I anticipated some foul trouble for Chalmers.

In game 1 Norris Cole got extended minutes playing 29 minutes and 5 seconds, he did little to nothing with it though. Only 2 points, 5 assists, 3 turnovers on 1-4 shooting with a plus/minus of -11. Game 2 wasn’t much better and when you add up his stats it doesn’t paint a pretty picture. In 39 minutes and 43 seconds of playing time Cole has only 2 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 turnovers on 1-6 shooting and a plus/minus rating of -14. He can and has to do better this series if the Heat want to 3-peat.

He doesn’t have to be superman but he has to be something positive in the production department because Mario Chalmers hasn’t been much better. If Cole starts hitting some perimeter shots than he can earn himself more minutes and establish a rhythm. So far though his shots from downtown are not falling as he is 0-3 from beyond the arc, if he can just knock down some shots then things will open up even more for the Heat offense and help prevent any stagnation in the offense in late game situations. Cole is one of the most defensively intense players on the Heat roster, a true spark plug that is a key in the Heat 3-peating. Please also note that if they do win the title this year it will be Cole’s 3rd NBA title in as many seasons, so you know he doesn’t want to begin experiencing what players on the 29 other teams in the league are use to experiencing.