QuoteMIAMI -- Norris Cole stepped to the foul line with 9.3 seconds left, set to clinch the game as cries of "M-V-P" rained down upon him from the sold-out stands.
No, this wasn't a scene from his days at Cleveland State.
Taking over in just his second NBA game -- and with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all on the floor, no less -- Cole scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including three huge jumpers down the stretch to save the Heat in a 115-107 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.
"You grow up and live for moments like that," Cole said.
...
"He's earned their respect," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Even though it's been a short period of time, about three weeks, because he's pure, he's all about the team. He's mature ... and he gets them the ball. You're always a popular guy when you find people when they're open."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=311227014 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=311227014)
I was going to start this same thread! Listened to ESPN radio this morning and I'm not sure who was speaking but both guys were all about how great this Norris Cole kid is and how he is the missing link for the Heat--a zone buster. Apparently really lit it up last night.
He is at it again tonight.