The Heat finally have a real PG (Norris Cole)

[FlashTheKilla]

I know we're all excited, but let's not anoint him yet. He looks very promising, but one scrimmage does not make him a "Real PG."

Yes it showed that he is a "Real PG". It doesnt show how good he is going to be, but it does show the type of player he is. Its not a position that he has to learn, he knows his roles and responsibilities as a point. At least thats not a question, now its can he handle the speed and size of the NBA. What is also impressive, its that he showed he has the ability to do just about everything. Defend, rebound, handle, taking to the hoop, dictate an offense, floor general, cause havoc, and shoot (pull up and spot up). The ability is there, thats for one thing.

Okay I see what you guys are saying. I misinterpreted what you guys meant by "real." But even then, I still kinda disagree. While he definitely showed off some PG skills (pushing the ball, making some nice passes, setting up the offense), I also saw flashes of an undersized combo guard who took 17 shots and shot 41%.

All I'm saying is I'm not particularly ready to pass any kind of judgement just yet, save for him looking like a promising young player.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

Definitely inefficient combo guard potential, but I think it was the passing and vision that caught everyone's eye.

It's the difference between this...



...and this.



And yes, I think Darren Collison is a much more realistic comparison than Tony Parker or Chris Paul.

[twozeroMM]

Mid range game is looking good! Sunday can't come any quicker!

[indiegrind]

I actually thought of Darren Collison and Jrue Holiday a bit when watching cole play.

[Noodle Arm]

So Norris Cole is in the latest roster update for 2K12. Anybody download it yet? Is he rated fairly (my guess is somewhere in the high 60's).

[GetMoney]

he'll play 12min a game at the most

[miamivice]

I have to borrow this, its too good to be left to die in this thread.

go right ahead. i'm glad you dig it...

[EscapoTHB]

Norris seems a lot more under control/strong compact than Collison though. The way he rips rebounds and runs is pretty impressive. And his passing/decision making looked great. Eventually if he's good enough you won't be able to compare him to anyone.

[Miamis3rdRing]

My only complaint about Norris from last night, and this is nitpicking, was that he seemed to get blocked a few times on his drives. That's in part due to two things IMO

1. We have some freak athletes and shot blockers on this team. Joel, LeBron, Wade, even Bosh and UD are capable.

2. He just needs to learn how to finish better. If he can add this move to his arsenal, he would make these guys that try to block his shot look like fool's -
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey0-D3G47t8[/youtube]

Otherwise he was great. His court vision is something that you can't teach. I liked that he didn't back down the few times he ended up stuck on Wade or LeBron.

[indiegrind]

well, wade even got blocked by some scrub last night. He's adjusting to playing against much bigger and better competition and i'm sure some of his shots that would have been uncontested in college would get swatted out of the arena in the nba.

I agree on finishing though, thats the once problem I saw with him last night.

[TRG]

I agree with the above two posts, but finishing at the rim is a skill he'll naturally improve on overtime as he's exposed to more and more NBA games.

[abark]

I don't see how anyone who watched the gam can be calling Cole a combo guard. I'll admit I've never seen him before yesterday, and he may have played differently in college, but last night I saw a true floor leader.

He was able to probe at a defense while allowing plays to be set up, and he was hitting guys in stride for them to finish. And while 41% is not a great fg%, he had plenty of three's and ft's. 21 points on 17 shots is actually pretty good effiiciency. Last year Aldridge and Bargnani both put up 21 ppg on 17 shots and nobody would label them as inefficient.

I don't want to get overexcited, but in contrast to the way that Pittman sometimes seems awkward and uncomfortable, Cole just looked the part of his role and definetly passed the eye test, imo.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

I don't want to get overexcited, but in contrast to the way that Pittman sometimes seems awkward and uncomfortable, Cole just looked the part of his role and definetly passed the eye test, imo.

This sums it up for me, and I'm normally someone who is dismissive of the eye test. I hate it when its used as a way to discount statistics. But in the absence of statistics, it still has merit, and without a doubt Cole passed that test on Thursday.

[Miamis3rdRing]

Heat PG's since D-Wade became a member of the Heat. I might be missing a few.

Rafer Alston
Keyon Dooling
Jason Williams
Gary Payton
Smush Parker
Marcus Banks
Shaun Livingston
Chris Quinn
Carlos Arroyo
Mario Chalmers
Mike Bibby

Damon Jones and Eddie House can be considered, but they are more of SG's in a PG's body.

A good number of these guys were at the tail end of their careers, while the rest are either super inconsistent or flat out suck.

Hopefully Cole can continue where he left off Thursday night, we may have landed a diamond in the rough.

[Mesa]

Is there a replay anywhere?

Tonight Saturday @7pm Sunsports in HD channel 402 or Channel 38 in SD..

At least that's what my Comcast guide says.

[DefenseWins]

Heat PG's since D-Wade became a member of the Heat. I might be missing a few.

Rafer Alston
Keyon Dooling
Jason Williams
Gary Payton
Smush Parker
Marcus Banks
Shaun Livingston
Chris Quinn
Carlos Arroyo
Mario Chalmers
Mike Bibby

Damon Jones and Eddie House can be considered, but they are more of SG's in a PG's body.

A good number of these guys were at the tail end of their careers, while the rest are either super inconsistent or flat out suck.

Hopefully Cole can continue where he left off Thursday night, we may have landed a diamond in the rough.

It's like the Dolphin's situation... ever since Dan Marino left, we've had some bad QB's. Ever since Tim Hardaway left, it's been bad too. Chalmers is fine now, but he isn't a true PG.

I'm scared to have my expectations high for Cole... just hope all goes well ._.

[twix2500]

If Norris Cole continues on this developement path he has shown in training camp, we may be in store for a monster of an offense. And if Curry does add what he has been known for in a post game, we will be able to attack on offense in every aspect of the game. This could be a potential of moving from being known for our defense but being known for an unstoppable offense.

[canefandynasty]

I have to borrow this, its too good to be left to die in this thread.

will also borrow this

[arsenic]

If Norris Cole continues on this developement path he has shown in training camp, we may be in store for a monster of an offense. And if Curry does add what he has been known for in a post game, we will be able to attack on offense in every aspect of the game. This could be a potential of moving from being known for our defense but being known for an unstoppable offense.

I really have to see what Curry will bring. My expectations are so low for him at this point, I don't even suspect he'll ever set foot on the court. Still, I am anticipating to see what he can do, the guy just reaks of out of shape and washed up. I hope I'm wrong.

[twix2500]

If Norris Cole continues on this developement path he has shown in training camp, we may be in store for a monster of an offense. And if Curry does add what he has been known for in a post game, we will be able to attack on offense in every aspect of the game. This could be a potential of moving from being known for our defense but being known for an unstoppable offense.

I really have to see what Curry will bring. My expectations are so low for him at this point, I don't even suspect he'll ever set foot on the court. Still, I am anticipating to see what he can do, the guy just reaks of out of shape and washed up. I hope I'm wrong.

Im taking the same approach as you on Curry, my expectation are very low as well. Your not alone.