What We Learned from Week 1 of Miami Heat Camp

More so than it has been in past years, training camp is crucial for the Miami Heat.

Miami dealt with significant personnel changes this offseason—most notably the departure of LeBron James— and there is much to figure out about the new-look Heat.  

While there's still a ways to go in camp, there have been a number of questions about this team that have already been answered.

Let's take a look at the scuttlebutt from the first week of Heat training camp and break it down.

Norris Cole Might Be a Real Threat to Start at Point Guard

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In an unexpected move, coach Erik Spoelstra started Norris Cole over Mario Chalmers in Miami's second preseason contest against the Orlando Magic.

While some interpreted the move as a sign that Cole was starting to overtake Chalmers for the starting role, Spoelstra suggested the move was a result of lineup experimentation.

From Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

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"I'm looking at a lot of different things," Spoelstra said of starting Cole. "I wouldn't look too much into that. But he's had a good week. I wanted to look into that combination. I wouldn't look too much into it because 'Rio is a big, big piece of what we're trying to do."

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Chalmers still has to be considered the favorite to begin the season as Miami's top point guard, but Spoelstra's decision here shouldn't be completely overlooked. Perhaps Cole has a better shot to start than many of us expected.

This is a situation to monitor as camp progresses. 

Josh McRoberts Might Not Be Ready for the Start of the Season

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One of Miami's most important moves this offseason was bringing in Josh McRoberts. 

The seven-year veteran is perfect for Miami's offense, given his top-notch passing ability and outside shooting as a power forward.

However, unfortunately for the Heat, they very well could start the season without McRoberts, who had offseason toe surgery.

Spoelstra spoke to Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald about the forward's status for the Oct. 29 opener.

“It’s too early to tell, but he’s doing a lot,” Spoelstra said. “I anticipate he’ll increase his workload significantly in the next week to 10 days.

As Goodman notes, the fact that McRoberts won't have the opportunity to get comfortable with Miami's system since he's sidelined during training camp is a big problem even if he ultimately is healthy enough to play at the start of the season.

McRoberts averaged 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this past season with Charlotte.

Shannon Brown Is Dwyane Wade's Backup

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After two preseason games, it's evident that Shannon Brown is the Heat's No. 2 shooting guard. 

Brown has played 35 minutes combined, while no other shooting guard on the roster other than Dwyane Wade has seen the court. 

Brown totaled nine points, four rebounds and zero assists throughout the two games. 

While Brown has played decently, it's not as if he's running away with the job. The fact of the matter is that the Heat have a severe lack of options with Tyler Johnson, Andre Dawkins and Reggie Williams as Miami's other shooting guards.

Brown is the Heat's No. 2 shooting guard, but it's almost by default. 

Brown appeared in just 29 games last season, averaging 2.2 points and one rebound per game.

James Ennis Is Living Up to the Hype

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Shabazz Napier won two national championships with the Connecticut Huskies. Yet, among the Heat's rookies, James Ennis was the one with the greatest expectations entering training camp, thanks to a strong showing in summer league play this offseason.

Well, Ennis has more than lived up to the hype during Miami's first two preseason games. Ennis posted 17 points, six rebounds and one assist in the opener and 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the second game.

Ennis hasn't shot the ball as well as he did this summer, as he's made just two of seven threes. But he's gotten to the line 12 times and is playing solid team basketball, while also displaying the length and athleticism that made him a summer league star.

Spoelstra didn't commit to Ennis having a "guaranteed role" when speaking to (South Florida) Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman, but Miami's coach might need to reconsider that stance if Ennis keeps this up while shooting a little bit better.

Miami Needs to Shoot the 3-Ball Better

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If preseason action is any indication, the Heat are going to struggle shooting the ball this year.

Miami wasn't very effective from outside in its preseason opener versus the New Orleans Pelicans, making five of 15, and was an absolute disaster in its second game against the Orlando Magic, making just five of 32.

It's understandable for the Heat not to be as strong from outside as they have been in recent years. Miami lost LeBron James, Ray Allen and Shane Battier, among other shooters, this offseason. 

But the Heat can't be this poor from outside in the regular season—not if they want to contend for a top seed in the Eastern Conference and make a run in the playoffs.

Chris Bosh Isn't Speaking to LeBron James

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LeBron James said at the Cleveland Cavaliers' media day that he and Dwyane Wade remain great friends, according to Bleacher Report's Ethan J. Skolnick.

However, James and the other member of Miami's old Big Three, Chris Bosh, might not be on similarly positive terms.

Bosh revealed Tuesday that he has not spoken with James since he decided to leave the Heat, according to ESPN.com.

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Asked by reporters if he had talked to his former teammate since James' decision to leave the Heat, Bosh answered a succinct, "No."

As to whether he was looking forward to seeing James on Saturday at the game in Rio de Janeiro, he replied with a lukewarm, "Yeah ... I don't know."

"I'm in the mode where I'm trying to lead my team, help these guys out around here," he said. 

"If guys aren't in this locker room, I don't have much time for them -- if any."

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Given all that James and Bosh went through together during their four years as teammates, it's pretty incredible the two have not remained in touch at all.

However, at the same time, it's understandable that Bosh wouldn't be dying to reach out to the guy who effectively ended Miami's Big Three era sooner than just about everybody expected.