D-Wade And The Heat Point Guards
D-WadeI completely understand why any available PG (Stephon Marbury, Jamaal Tinsley, Shaun Livingston) is mentioned in conjunction with the Miami Heat. With a nucleus of Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley, the Heat definitely have the core of a playoff-bound team. One glaring position missing from that equation is point guard.
In years past, this wasn’t a problem. To start his career, Wade played alongside veteran (and now retired) point guards Gary Payton and Jason Williams. But if the season started today, Wade would be receiving the rock from either rookie Mario Chalmers, third-year backup Chris Quinn or journeyman Marcus Banks. While all three players have potential, trust (and turnovers) appear to be an issue with Flash.
Dwyane Wade led the NBA in turnovers last season. He might already be on pace this season to lead the way in patience with a group of untested point guards. Wade said it would take longer than a month of training camp to develop trust with any of the Heat’s contenders to start alongside him in the backcourt.
Although Wade missed 31 games owing to injuries last season, when he was on the court, he averaged a career-high 4.4 turnovers. This isn’t just alarming news before your upcoming Fantasy Draft. With a dubious point guard situation in South Beach already, Wade will need to take better care of the ball this season as he’ll probably be handling it in crunch time.
Source: Miami Herald
October 1st, 2008 at 10:32 am
YOUNGFED says:
what’s so wrong with chalmers starting.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:37 am
Sam I Am says:
EVERYTHING YOUNGFED…
Everything is wrong with it
October 1st, 2008 at 10:37 am
Sam I Am says:
lol
October 1st, 2008 at 10:50 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Banks and Chalmers are gonna be good this season. I bet Miami jumps up to the 4th seed and make some noise in the playoffs
October 1st, 2008 at 10:51 am
Kudabeen says:
With the heat having 3 legit opportunistic scorers they need a PG in the mold of Mike Connely, Andre Miller, Brevin Knight, even Rafer Alston. Chalmers have that potential and if Shaun Livingston is remotely healthy he could be a huge pick up.
People wasn’t giving Jason Williams his due for the job he did for the heat. He stretched the floor and he was a great distributor for that team. Wade and Beasley are “Ball Stoppers”. They go one on one a lot and feel most comfortable creating their own shots. I also like that they have Banks, but he has not shown to date that he can be a distributor/decision maker on the floor.
Give Chalmers a chance, they need to get a solid Vet (Randy Livingston anyone?) that can produce, run an offense and give Chalmers good guidance…
October 1st, 2008 at 10:55 am
Shogun says:
They should just have Wade play the point. The ball will be in his hands 85% of the time anyway (as it should be). Let Chalmers learn from the bench. Maybe he’ll become an NBA point guard that way.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:22 am
wanabballer says:
With the Heat having Beasley, Matrix, and Wade I think all they need is defense out of the PG position. Like Shogun said its not like Wade won’t have the ball 85% of the time…
October 1st, 2008 at 11:25 am
nick says:
chalmers most likely will start because of his defense. however banks or quinn may get the nod since they know the offense system better and would also allow chalmers to learn without the added pressure of starting.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:36 am
Big V says:
Wade playing the point is a bad idea. The guy’s going to average a TON of turnovers and he can’t run any offense that isn’t his own. Who does that help?
October 1st, 2008 at 11:39 am
Derik says:
chalmers most likely will start because of his defense <—- Banks is a better defender than Chalmers
October 1st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Celts Fan says:
Chalmers has the potential to start, but a team w/ the aspirations the Heat realistically have this year, starting a rookie 2ND ROUNDER right out of the gate just doesn’t seem safe (but as of now, that’s who I’d go with based on who else is on that roster.) He seems like he could be a starter eventually, it’s just, the ? is, is eventually his very first game? We KNOW Chris Quinn and Marcus Banks aren’t the answer…
October 1st, 2008 at 11:53 am
loganlight says:
Go get Livingston!
The Heat are surely going to hit some serious growing pains this season and this PG situation is a good place to start. I really do think that Shaun Livingston can be a great piece to add. He has the ability to play the 2 guard when Wade does handle the rock and he’s a great distributor… and are his knees worse than the previous point guards? … yes they probably are, but I would still like to see him get the chance.
LL
Dwayne Wade for MVP.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:56 am
Big V says:
I like Livingston in this scenario, actually. He has the size to play the 1 and the 2 and with 3 backups, he shouldn’t have to play too much on any given night. His jumper’s still a bit suspect, but once he improves that and strengthens his knee a little, he should be good to go.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:56 am
Ashlov says:
When Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was asked who the best defender at the point was so far, he said Banks. I think Chalmers has great potential, but point guard is the most difficult position to learn, and it’ll take him a season or two to get it down pat in the big league.
Personally, I hope they add Livingston, and get a steal for next season.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:02 pm
jace says:
i say pick up shaun livingston.. even if hes not that useful this year.. he could learn a lot and probably be their eventual pg of the future..
i like chalmers to start for them.. the depth chart should go chalmers, banks, quinn.. and if livingston is in the equation.. put him on behind banks until he grows some muscle.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Michorizo says:
Why not try and sign or trade for Ben Gordon and move Wade to the point? Then trade Banks or Quinn for some frontline help.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Banks is a terror on D. He’s strong and quick. The only question is his decision making with the ball
October 1st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
jimmhumm says:
They need a PG that doesn’t need to shoot, can dribble and lead the break. They needed Luke Ridding the Benchenour from the Bucks. He would have been perfect in the new Miami run a gun system. Chalmers is good if he develops into a poor man’s brevin knight like I’ve heard predicted.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Aron says:
I like what you guys are saying and agree with the majority of it.
@Michorizo. “Trade Banks or Quinn for some frontline help.” While I like your optimism, there is no team that would trade bigs for these guys.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Michorizo says:
True Aron, you are correct. I see GM in your future.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Kobeef says:
Wow- I was buying the “move Wade to PG” argument until Dime pointed out he led the league in turnovers. Who knew?
With three star caliber players, the Heat just need a good role-player at PG - not a star - just someone to do what they are told. Chris Quinn and Banks can probably keep it together. Before last season people were calling for Boston to bring in a PG since Rondo was unproven. Let it roll and see what happens…for now.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Meica says:
Whomever the Heat add as PG I foresee Chalmers owning that starting spot by seasons end. If the summer is any indication, Chalmers could prove to be the steal of the draft.
For my sake, I just hope Rose turns out to be that productive as well.
October 1st, 2008 at 4:28 pm
QuEsT??? says:
since when does quinn have potential??
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:18 am
heartbreaker85 says:
wade plays LIKE a point guard anyway. not the chris paul type, but more like the baron davis (score first, pass later) one. svg used to play him at 1. its only pat riley and his michael jordan fixation that keeps putting dwade at the 2 spot where he is undersized against the 6′7-6′8s out there.
do you even watch heat games? wade has the ball 85% of the time.
if anything, the heat doesnt need another slasher as pg. they need someone who can shoot the 3 ball and play defense (like a pg bowen). maybe they should ask about kirk hinrich or something.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
Patrick says:
Did Shaun Livingston even play in a summer league this year? I might have missed it, but I haven’t seen any footage of him going full court since the accident. I know his game was starting to come around for the Clips, but I wouldn’t want to put my starting pg spot in his hands. The Heat should just start whichever guy they think can start the offense and not be too much of a liability of D, my guess is Chaulmers, and just wait for Indy or NY to let somebody go.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:57 am
Dave says:
Start Chalmers …. he’s the most rounded player of the bunch. He’ll bring defense, perimeter shooting, decision making and be a solid floor general.
December 5th, 2008 at 5:12 am
daniel says:
wow, whoever thinks banks is a better defender then chalmers should just get slapped.. thats what he is known for.. he is doing everything you can ask for out of a rookie and some, he is up there with the leaders in steals as well as wade. i went to highschool with him and didnt think he could do make pro..but he did, and is doing great..go mario.