Miami Heat: Norris Cole Will Finally Solve Point Guard Riddle for Heatles

Have no fear, Miami Heat fans, Norris Cole has arrived to save the day.

Perhaps that's a little bit over the top, but Cole's emergence as a legitimate contributor at the point guard position during the team's first two games makes the Heat even more dangerous.

The first-round pick scored 20 points while also chipping in four rebounds and four assists against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. In the span of two nights, Cole has already turned Mario Chalmers into a relative afterthought.

With Miami moving to a more uptempo offensive approach, they need a point guard who can contribute consistently on that end of the floor. Above all else, Cole has proven he's not afraid to pull up and take a shot even though he's playing alongside two of the league's marquee players.

That type of confidence can't be taught. It's something a player must instinctively have within themselves and it appears Cole does.

Even though Cole has burst onto the scene so impressively, it's important to remember that he's only a rookie. There are going to be some mistakes throughout the season that will make fans scratch their head, but that's all a part of becoming a better player.

He has turned the ball over seven times so far with just four assists. That ratio will need to improve dramatically of course, but it will come with experience. That's why the Heat are giving him so much playing time in the early going.

It's his long-term potential which should have everybody in South Beach excited right now.

The Heat lacked viable threats outside of the Big Three last season, which caused them to play extended minutes for virtually the entire season. The depth is continuing to improve, however, and that should help immensely during the condensed season.

Miami was already on the short list of teams most analysts and fans expected to be in the title hunt. If Cole's meteoric rise can continue, it will get even tougher to find teams who might be able to put up a fight against the Heat.

As long as his newfound fame doesn't place too much pressure on his shoulders, Cole should have no problem filling the point guard position that caused Erik Spoelstra so many headaches last season.

Watch out, NBA.