Winners and Losers from Week 1 of Miami Heat's Preseason

There is much to be settled during Miami Heat's preseason this year. 

With a roster transformation this offseason, player roles and minutes are up for grabs, and there are a number of camp battles to keep an eye on.

While the dust is far from settled, the first week of preseason action has seen some Miami players' stock rise and others' stock fall.

Let's break all of that down by looking at the winners and losers of the Heat's preseason thus far.

Winner: Norris Cole

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Mario Chalmers entered Heat training camp as the clear-cut favorite to emerge as the team's starting point guard, but it was Norris Cole who started at the 1 in Miami's second preseason game.

Cole posted two points, six assists and three rebounds in the 108-101 loss to the Orlando Magic.

Cole getting the nod against Orlando doesn't mean he's overtaken Chalmers on the depth chart. Erik Spoelstra told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel that his decision was based on lineup experimentation than anything.

"

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.

"

While Spo is clearly downplaying the decision, it is certainly a sign that Cole is putting more pressure on 'Rio for the starting gig than previously thought.

Loser: Mario Chalmers

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Not surprisingly, given what we just talked about, Chalmers is an enormous preseason loser to this point

It's important not to overreact to Cole starting over Chalmers. However, Spo's surprising decision certainly doesn't qualify as a good thing for the Kansas product.

Also not working in Chalmers' favor: He hasn't performed well in both of Miami's preseason games. 'Rio was just 2-of-10 from the field for 12 points, three assists and four turnovers in the two games.

Chalmers still has plenty of time to turn things around, but his year is not off to a hot start.

He averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 assists per game last season.

Winner: James Ennis

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James Ennis is more than making the most of his first taste of preseason action.

The 2013 second-round draft pick has been one of Miami's top performers through two games. He contributed 17 points, six rebounds and one assist against the New Orleans Pelicans and 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists against the Magic.

Spoelstra spoke highly of Ennis to Winderman after the opener, saying,"The last five weeks, he's been putting in a lot of time, so he has a much more confident demeanor in how we want to play and how he fits in."

Ennis has the length and athleticism to be a successful wing player, which has been on display thus far.

He has a shot at a rotation role this season if he continues to perform at this level.

Loser: Josh McRoberts

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Josh McRoberts' Heat career hasn't exactly gotten off to a great start.

The power forward has not appeared in a preseason game due to offseason toe surgery, and Spoelstra suggested to Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald that McRoberts might not be ready for the Oct. 29 regular-season opener.

McRoberts is taking a more optimistic view on the matter, telling Barry Jackson of the Herald that he plans on playing in Miami's first game.

Regardless, the fact that McRoberts has been and will continue to be unavailable to participate in preseason action for the foreseeable future is obviously far from ideal.

As the team's starting power forward, McRoberts has a crucial role on the Heat, and they need him back healthy as soon as possible in order to start the 2014-15 season on the right foot.

Winner: Shannon Brown

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There were a lot of questions entering training camp about who exactly would play behind Dwyane Wade as the Heat's backup shooting guard.

Well, two preseason games in, and it's clear that Shannon Brown is that guy at the moment. Brown has been the only reserve shooting guard to appear in preseason action.

Brown played in six minutes in the opener and 29 minutes in Miami's second preseason game. Combined, he has totaled nine points, four rebounds and zero assists. 

Brown still has a lot to prove if he wants consistent minutes on this team, but Spoelstra appears to be intrigued by him right now. 

Loser: Miami's Other Reserve Shooting Guards

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Obviously the fact that Tyler Johnson, Reggie Williams and Andre Dawkins have not seen the court in Miami's first two games doesn't bode well for any of their chances to make the team.

All three were on the bubble entering camp, needing strong showings to have a shot at entering the regular season on the Heat's roster.

Surely Spoelstra will give Johnson, Williams and Dawkins a taste of action soon enough, but he seems comfortable with Brown, a bad sign for them. Also, Spoelstra discussed the idea of playing Chalmers and Cole together with Winderman, meaning a third shooting guard might not have much value on this team.