Marty Burns on the Heat Point Guard Battle
CNNSI's Marty Burns lists his top five training camp position battles, and Miami's point guard situation earns a mention. His take:
This is basically a mess for Heat president Pat Riley and rookie coach Erik Spoelstra. (Chris) Quinn did a decent job while starting 25 games a year ago, including the final 13, but he appears more suited as a reserve. (Marcus) Banks, acquired in a midseason trade with Suns, has done nothing in his career to inspire much confidence. (Mario) Chalmers, the Final Four hero for Kansas, is a rookie second-round pick. Look for Riley to make some move here, either trading for an available veteran such as Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley or taking a chance on Stephon Marbury (if he gets waived by the Knicks).
I don't mean this as a criticism of Burns, but when did national columnists transition from offering real, unique insight to simply repeating conventional wisdom on a larger platform? Just asking.
Comments
My favourite to win the starting job is Mario Chalmers. I think he’s the perfect role player to have alongside Wade. A good defender (with large room for improvement as he gains experience), a great perimeter shooter, good handle, solid passer, good decision maker, can run the floor, plays within himself and to his strengths, smart player, runs his team’s offense well.
Mario Chalmers is to Dwyane Wade as Derek Fisher is to Kobe Bryant. Chalmers is the right type of high level role player to complement Wade’s skills.
I could buy that. I think Chalmers will become a solid player, but I’m not completely sold on him as the point guard of the future yet.
by PeninsulaIsMightier on Sep 24, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m very comfortable with Chalmers. Short of being able to add an above average starting point guard (Top 15 caliber PG) I’d rather give Chalmers the job and concentrate and getting him a dependable, experienced and talented backup.
I also think the team badly needs more depth and interior play rather than a starting point guard …. and should use their resources to fix those spots first and foremost.













