Mario Chalmers Deathwatch...

[FlashTheKilla]

I already love the current set-up.

Chalmers starts, Cole sparks the 2nd unit, Cole finishes. Minutes allocation is 26 to Cole, 22 to Chalmers.

It's absolutely perfect, wouldn't change a thing, unless Cole continually proves that he can ball at this level. Then you put it at like 30/18.

[TheDon008]

Chalmers had 5 steals yesterday.

Seems like everytime he screws up on the offensive end, he makes up for it on the defensive end.

[LikeABosh]

No, I'd rather keep Chalmers in the starting lineup. A lot of the fastbreaks come from his steals. He actually has 9 steals in these first two games.

As far as minutes go, I wouldn't mind seeing Cole get more minutes

[Lord Hades]

Chalmers fits the mold better of what the Big 3 needs in starting the game. I like Cole's aggressiveness and decision making more with the second unit, because Kratos knows we can look lost at times with Dwyane or LeBron out.

I mentioned this the other day, but this is going to resemble more of the Beasley/Haslem dynamic IMO. Mike started, but everyone knew who was going to close and get leaned on at PF. We've seen it over 3+ seasons; there's only so much you can trust Chalmers, but he does have moments. We just have to temper his time.

[Mourning_Heat_33]

People tend to get so absolutist about things. Does it really matter who starts and who doesn't? Maybe only a little bit. Cole didn't start, yet he still played during crunch time.

Chalmers can be very solid--at D, shooting, getting to the hoop, and other things. It's great Miami has him. It's also great that MIami has Cole.

Chalmers nearly saved our game 2: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4igW4TnjOKI[/youtube]

I'm glad we've got a solid, versatile team with options.

[DefenseWins]

Chalmers was actually the 4th best playing for the Heat in the Finals. He was great in the Finals, he definitely elevated his game and shot the 3's when needed.

Again, I'd still want him to start because he has better chemistry with the starters, can lob, shoot 3's and steal. He doesn't require a lot of the PG role with the starters. Then have Cole try to run the offense off the bench. It makes the Heat so much deeper with Cole coming off the bench.

But to me Mario has gotten a bit worse, I mean in his rookie season he was freakin' amazing. I don't know if it's because he has to cater more to LBJ, Wade and Bosh, but even before that he regressed. He's suppose to get better...

Glad he shined in the Finals, but I have yet to see some improvement. He has improved in stealing though lol.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

Not so dead tonight.

[Grumpy Heat Fan]

Cole provides a scoring spark off the bench. Leave him there on the bench

[EscapoTHB]

Chalmers can score off the bench. Good game for him tonight, though his defense was matador go for the steal style.

[puppa bear]

Cole changes the game coming off the bench & Rio is trusted by the starters (despite his bonehead plays).

Some nights Cole will look like he should be the main guard, & some nights Chalmers will. If they keep giving us around 20/5/7 from the PG spot, like they have the last two games, then it doesn't matter who starts & who finishes. As long as the better player on the night gets the bulk of the minutes (25-30).

[GreenHat]

Wow, I am actually impressed that it took until game 2 for someone to start this thread. Reminds me of the Magloire over Anthony or Beasley over Haslem threads from years past.

I just can't understand why does it have to be one or the other? As long as Spo plays both at the right time, who cares which one starts the game? The season is only 2 games old. We are 2-0. Chalmers needs to play better and Cole needs to learn to adjust once he starts seeing different defenses thrown at him. Our PG position as a whole needs to work collectively. As for starting? That will take care of itself eventually.

Please let's not dog one player just to praise the other. Both play for the HEAT and as fans, we should want both to succeed through thick and thin.

Enjoy the moment!

I think the bold part is the problem.

I actually thought before the game that it would be funny if Chalmers outplayed Cole tonight after all of Miami and BSPN spent yesterday slobbering over Cole.

[puppa bear]

As much as he is a knucklehead at times, I would only trade him if we are getting a legit starting C & have a back-up lined up to play behind Cole (Arenas would do in that case).

[Roll Tide Baaby]

Chalmers played well tonight. Lets not make this a battle between these 2. We need 2 point guards to be successful, so lets cheer them both on and hope they both succeed.

[Grifin32]

This Cole World...