HoopsHype.com Rumors

Cole is helping the HEAT in two ways, one scout told HOOPSWORLD. First, he’s “pushing” the ball and in doing so, has already gained the trust of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. And, as the scout points out, “That’s not an easy thing for any guy to do.” HoopsWorld

Miami Heat, Norris Cole 

Amid the buzz created by the Tuesday breakout performance of rookie Norris Cole against the Boston Celtics Spoelstra stressed what is most gratifying at this stage is the youthful versatility he has available at the position, when also factoring in fourth-year starter Mario Chalmers. "We have two great, young point guards that we think bring two different things to the table that we really like," Spoelstra said before the Heat faced the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena, "and, most importantly, help our team win. "We like it. They're both young. We feel as comfortable as anybody in the league, two young point guards under 25 that bring different skill sets." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole 

"The fact that both of them are young and promising with a lot of potential," Spoelstra said of Chalmers and Cole, "we haven't had that in this organization for a long time." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole 

But Cole, strangely, was uniquely prepared for this game, in which the Celtics went to a zone defense triple the total number of possessions (8) they zoned Miami in all of 2010-11. Cole’s Cleveland State team saw zone on 15 percent of all their possessions last season, with 78 and 313 used by Cole for a shot, assist or turnover, and Cole scored nearly nine points for every ten of those possessions. Seventeen of the zone possessions Tuesday came in Cole’s big fourth quarter. “I knew the spots that were going to be open, just from the sets that we were drawing up,” Cole said. “It was in spots where they kick it and there’s a shooting pocket. You step in and knock it down.” NBA.com

Miami Heat, Norris Cole 

Such rookies certainly aren't supposed to sink them all, or two clinching free throws while "MVP" chants cascade through the arena. But Cole did all of that Tuesday in the Heat's home opener, a 115-107 victory over Boston in which LeBron James (9-of-14, 26 points) again displayed extreme efficiency and the team as a whole flashed its offensive capability - 69 points on 65 percent shooting in the first half. Halfway through the third quarter, however, the Heat showed some vulnerability, hiccupping after Doc Rivers sprung a 2-3 zone. The shorthanded Celtics (missing Paul Pierce and relying heavily upon Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen) trimmed a 20-point deficit to eight. "At times, we looked a little anxious," coach Erik Spoelstra said. Palm Beach Post

Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Norris Cole 

"It was a blast, man," Cole said. "You grow up for moments like that. LeBron and Dwyane just kept finding me." "They trust him," Spoelstra said. Finally, with the win secured, Cole stepped to the line with 9.3 seconds left, to chants of "MVP," aiming for his 19th and 20th points. Good. Good. The kid sure is. "It's only my second game," said Cole, who took more shots (16) than any teammate. "I don't know what normal is." Palm Beach Post

Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Norris Cole 

Chris Palmer: Shaq on the rise of Norris Cole: "Chalmers may be in trouble." Twitter

Miami Heat, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole 

I apparently have been wrong about Norris Cole. The kid has the polish of a four-year collegian and appears to have upside. I found it curious how Erik Spoelstra somewhat paused before saying that Mario Chalmers is the definitive season-opening starter. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Norris Cole LOOKS more like a point guard than Mario Chalmers ever has. That doesn't mean Cole will b ready 2 contribute; but he looks part. Twitter

Miami Heat, Norris Cole 

The Miami Heat on Wednesday took care of personnel housekeeping by tendering contract offers to draft picks Norris Cole, Jarvis Varnado and Robert Dozier. The moves, in advance of a potential Friday start to an NBA lockout, allow the Heat to retain the NBA rights to each. Only the offer to Norris, the No. 28 selection in last week's NBA Draft, includes guaranteed money, at 80 percent of what the rookie scale will be in the next collective-bargaining agreement for a first-round draft pick at his slot. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Draft, Norris Cole, Jarvis Varnado, Robert Dozier 

Cleveland State guard Norris Cole says fans there are happy he was taken in the first round of the NBA draft, even if he's joining the despised Miami Heat. "They know it wasn't really my choice," Cole said with a smile Monday. ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Norris Cole 

Cole was in Miami for an introductory visit after being drafted 28th overall Thursday night, then traded by Minnesota to the Heat for the rights to guard Bojan Bogdanovic, a second- round pick in 2014 and cash. Cleveland fans have been rooting against the Heat ever since LeBron James chose them over the Cavaliers last summer, but Cole said his new team's unpopularity back in Ohio doesn't bother him. "I've liked the Heat anyway," he said. "I was cheering for them. Some people didn't like the fact I was cheering for them, but they're happy for me and my success. Some people have bad comments to say about LeBron, but I ignore them." ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Norris Cole 

The Pistons held their first big workout of the year on Wednesday. Cleveland State's Norris Cole, Malcolm Lee, Andrew Goudelock, Cory Joseph, Kalin Lucas and Andrew Albicy all participated. Keep an eye out for Cole. He's been really rising on a number of draft boards. Not only has he tested out as one of the best athletes in the draft, but he really looked like he belonged out there with the other, more highly-rated point guards in the draft. When you look at his body of work in college over the past couple of years, there's a lot to be impressed with. He could be a sleeper first-round selection. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Draft, Malcolm Lee, Cory Joseph, Norris Cole 

Jonathan Rinehart: Jazz to hold draft workouts on Sunday: Norris Cole, JaJuan Johnson, Shelvin Mack, Markieff Morris, Dallas Lauderdale and Jeremy Tyler. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Draft, Jeremy Tyler, Markieff Morris, Shelvin Mack, JaJuan Johnson, Norris Cole 

Chad Ford: Pistons had Norris Cole, Malcolm Lee, Andrew Goudelock, Cory Joseph, Kalin Lucas & Andrew Albicy in today. Cole & Lee stood out I'm told. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Draft, Malcolm Lee, Cory Joseph, Norris Cole 

Two local prospects, Ohio State guard David Lighty and Cleveland State guard Norris Cole, have signed with agent Joel Bell. Morning Journal

Draft, Agents, Norris Cole, David Lightly 

Jason Lloyd: Cleveland State's Norris Cole, OSU's David Lighty also will attend NBA draft combine, according to list NBA just released. No Jon Diebler Twitter

Draft, Norris Cole 

The last Cleveland State player to spend some time in the NBA was point guard Cedric Jackson, who appears to have found a home in the National Basketball Development League. Will Norris Cole take the same route to the NBA? "Hear me on this: Norris will get drafted and he will stay in the league," Vikings coach Gary Waters said. "He has all (the intangibles of an NBA player). People in the NBA are starting to see that, too." News-Herald

Draft, Norris Cole 

The Cleveland State coach said his prized pupil is a legitimate NBA prospect. "Absolutely," Waters said. "In the NBA, they take a guard who can score and teach him point-guard skills. They don't want a point guard who can't score. "Norris comes with the whole package. Every time I talk to NBA people, they tell me, ‘He's a point guard who already knows how to score.' He's better than most point guards coming into the NBA." News-Herald

Draft, Norris Cole