Van Gundy says our PG position is a strength

[flashwade33]

I'll give you three reasons,'' he said.

Not The Big Three reasons. Van Gundy is deeper than that. He is as analytical a mind and direct a communicator as there is in coaching.

"No. 1,'' he said, "they're together longer, they know each other better and they're hungry because they didn't get what they wanted last year."

Dallas got it.

"No. 2, they have a lot more depth,'' he said, meaning a healthy Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem as well as the additions of Shane Battier and Norris Cole.

"No. 3 — and I think this is a huge part of it — they've settled their point-guard position,'' Van Gundy said. "Last year, they went through a lot of different guys. Mario [Chalmers] was in there. Carlos Arroyo was starting early. Mike Bibby was there late. They were all up and down. Now they've settled and Mario is having a very good year."

Chalmers is in the top half of the league in point guards, Van Gundy said.

"The position is a strength, not a weakness,'' he said.

Full Link : http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fl-h ... 931.column

[DefenseWins]

I saw this. It's nice to hear.

Mario shooting career highs, so great to see. Cole is an upgrade from Bibby, just... his shooting and decisions need to get better. But a slow ass PG to a fast one? And better defensively? I'll take it

[Lord Hades]

I don't really see it as a strength. It's just nowhere near being a weakness anymore, which, given our actual strengths, helps tremendously. We can expect solid production there on the regular.

[Jan_Sobieski]

The Bulls in the 90's did not have great center rotation but good centers.

[DefenseWins]

The Bulls in the 90's did not have great center rotation but good centers.

But they did have Dennis Rodman in the 2nd 3 peat.. he counts as like 2 people with those rebounding numbers

however, we don't even have a "good center". Maybe Dex next year :[

[This IsMy House]

I agree with everything Stan said. Our PG play is lightyears ahead of what it was last year. We actually have two players that can come in and make an impact. We don't need our PG to have 10 assists, we just need him to play D, bring the ball up, and knock down open shots when needed. I love the PG combo we have now.

Plus the added depth to our roster is amazing. A healthy MM, UD is enough to have a solid bench, then you had a defensive beast like Battier and you're set. I really think Battier will come in handy a lot for teams that have good SF and a good PG or SG. It will allow LeBron to guard the best one (LeBron on Rose, Battier or Miller on Deng). Think about when we play OKC if LeBron can guard Westbrook to slow him down, Battier can guard Durant and we should be ok.

This team is build for a huge playoff push.

[SmushedPennies]

I think the Van Gundys may be a little over-complimentary of the Heat sometimes. Likely as a subconscious response to people likely assuming they have a vendetta against the Heat for obvious reasons.

For one, Chalmers may be in the top half of the league in terms of players playing point guard (due to his efficiency and 3-point shooting), but not in terms of point guards themselves, if that makes sense. He can only run a team for short stretches before he begins forcing bad passes and making other mistakes.

Jeff said during the broadcast that Norris Cole could start on many teams. I'm hardpressed to find a handful. Maybe in Utah over a struggling Harris? Perhaps Portland over the struggling Felton? Charlotte over Augustin and Walker? Beyond that, who? There are a lot of very good PGs in the league.

I agree with Lord Hades. It may seem like a strength now, only because its not the blatant weakness it's been, basically since Dwyane's rookie year, where he and Rafer held it down. Even with J-Will and Payton we had a lot of complaints about the rotation. I like this one better, for sure.

Chalmers and Cole need another year or two before they're a strength of this team. Fortunately we have the two best non-PG playmakers in the league.

[Pimpwerx]

I disagree SmushedPennies.

Rio ran the offense the entire 3OT game against ATL. He was the floor general that night with Bron and Wade out, and he surprised the hell out of me and a lot of others. The same comments you made about him not being able to run an offense for long before making some bonehead play is preconception. He unveiled a very balanced game shooting and passing, and was aggressive attacking the rim. Way more aggressive than he's ever been.

His issues were always his suspect handle and penchant for stupidity, but his handle is good this season, and he has cut way down on the mistakes. Rio's hot shooting combined with his understated playmaking abilities make him a good PG. Top10 maybe? I'd have to think about that more.

Cole I could only see starting on the Lakers and Bulls. Lakers since their guards suck, and the Bulls would probably throw him at SG since he likes to score and can create his own shot. Otherwise, the last rookie class kinda made him a tough pick since there are so many guards already. PEACE.

[SmushedPennies]

Forgot about the Lakers. Good call.

Regarding Chalmers, he was unbelievable that game in ATL. However, due to the fact that he's good for at least one dumb play (look, LeBron and Dwyane make them too, so its excusable), and at times seems like he's running into walls and not knowing what to do, I still consider that more of the aberration. With that said, he's had more games this year than in his entire previous career where he looks comfortable and adept at running the offense and getting assists. But usually that's only for one or two quarters and then he'll fall apart for stretches later on. For me, the jury is still out on him. Clearly he's still in a bit of a transition phase, so I'm waiting to see how he plays for the balance of the season before I consider him truly in the top half.

Believe me, I've been a Mario fan since day 1. I hated when he hit that shot in the Championship game against Memphis, as I'd already convinced myself Rose was a future HEATian. But when we picked him up on draft night, I was pumped. His rookie season was great, even with the wall he hit, and this season has clearly eclipsed that. He's made a significant step in terms of the consistency of his shot, but I've yet to see that consistency manifest itself in his playmaking, in my opinion. Obviously, some of that has to do with restricted opportunity, with Dwyane and LeBron handling most of those duties.

[twix2500]

I didnt think i would be saying this, but i have been very satisfied with Chalmers this year. For whatever reason, since the game that Coles made a name for himself against the Celtics, Chalmers has really learned how to be a good players. You dont see him making string of stupid fouls, dumb turnovers, and getting ripped at halfcourt anymore. Chalmers and Coles are very effective weapons and it has giving us a huge jump at being a complete team. Big Ups to Chalmers for maturing his game.

[TRWJINC]

From a Outsiders view
Lebron is the best pg on the roster and should play that role imo.

Lebron
Wade
Battier
Haslem
Bosh

is the line up i'm expecting to see alot of during the playoffs.

[This IsMy House]

From a Outsiders view
Lebron is the best pg on the roster and should play that role imo.

Lebron
Wade
Battier
Haslem
Bosh

is the line up i'm expecting to see alot of during the playoffs.

I think they'll run it, if they have a big lead and want to play great defense. But if its close either way, and they want to run and score they run the Big 5 that worked last year:

Wade
Miller
LeBron
Haslem
Bosh.

[RexBoyWonder]

Im loveing Rio's improvment this year, i just hope he could keep it up in the playoffs. consistency is the key word for him. right now i agree, he's in the top half of NBA PG's.

[flashwade33]

I think he is like the perfect fit for the Heat at this point. He has become a very good 3PT shooter, plays good defense, and has learned how to push the ball to create fast breaks.

[Pimpwerx]

From a Outsiders view
Lebron is the best pg on the roster and should play that role imo.

Lebron
Wade
Battier
Haslem
Bosh

is the line up i'm expecting to see alot of during the playoffs.

Lebron commits too many turnovers when charged with running the point for too long. He can do it in limited stretches, and should always run the break, but not for a full game. He's the Jeremy Lin of PGs. Sorry, I'm still in Knick-hater mode. PEACE.

[RELL_MARLEE]

Chalmers was so clutch in last year's playoff run, I expect to see more of it this year.

[Pimpwerx]

From Skolnik on twitter:

Spoelstra credits Mario Chalmers' development largely to Dan Craig, who is still working w/ MC but also now with NC. "Norris has to wait."

I'm glad. Cole needs some of that shooter magic DC worked on Rio. Just mix Cole's defense and slashing with Rio's shooting. So good. Cole's already working on his form with that Noah machine. Hopefully he can get his range good by the playoffs. I also hope he starts getting his floater to drop by then. It's arguably his worst shot right now, but it's the one he's gonna want to use the most. He's gonna be more Tony Parker than Steve Nash (I really gotta stop comparing him to elite guards). PEACE.

[DefenseWins]

so like, they owned against the Kings. I know it's the Kings, but it was fun to watch.

[This IsMy House]

Tonights game against the Kings has to be a hugh confidence boost for our PGs. If Chalmers keeps hitting that 3, and Cole can hit that jumper and get in the paint and score we should be pretty solid.

[Mars]

No analyst on TV coming close to the Notorious J.V.G. ...baby, baby.