Norris Cole Doesn’t Want to Take Mario Chalmers’ Starting Spot

Rookie point guard Norris Cole had his coming out party last night against the Boston Celtics, but despite the electric performance, Cole says that he’s not ready to supplant Mario Chalmers in the Miami Heat’s starting lineup. Not yet, anyway. From the Miami Herald: “I asked Norris after the game if he’s better suited at coming off the bench right now than starting. (Because, you know, we’re all thinking the same thing, ‘When is this kid going to send Mario Chalmers back to the bench?’) Cole got a little testy that I would even indirectly imply such a thing. ‘Yes, I think it does suit me right now,’ Cole said of his reserve role. ‘I’m stilling learning, I still can get better and this is what’s best for the team.’ When asked why Chalmers wasn’t in the game at the end, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, wryly: ‘Did you watch the last six minutes?’ Spoelstra collected himself: ‘It wasn’t at all any kind of indictment on Rio. He came back after struggling at the beginning of the third quarter and he did settle down and make some plays. So, that was good to see him show some resolve and some toughness after going through a tough stretch.'”