Help Wanted: 3 Point Shooters Needed

Shapecity · Oct 14, 2008

The Heat returned Monday from Europe not only searching for its first exhibition victory since 2006, but also for its 3-point stroke.

Despite Marcus Banks' accidental 3-point bank shot that kept the team afloat until the final seconds of Sunday's 94-92 loss to the Nets in London, the Heat is 13 of 54 from beyond the arc during its 0-3 exhibition season.

That places a team that finished 15th in the 30-team league in 3-point percentage last season at 25th during the preseason, at 24.1 percent. The league average this preseason is 31.7 percent.

"There's a couple of factors," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We're trying to establish our system without making mistakes. So when we can get into our pick-and-roll game and get into the paint and make plays without turning the ball over, we're able to move the ball and find open shots."

Spoelstra also cited the absences of point guard Chris Quinn and forward James Jones. Quinn, who missed the past two exhibitions with a sprained left ankle after starting the opener, shot 40.3 percent on 3-pointers last season, tying for 27th in the league.

Jones, who missed all three exhibition losses with a sprained right wrist, finished third in the league last season, while with Portland, at 44.4 percent.

"Not having James and Quinny, our two best 3-point shooters, out there does make a difference," said Spoelstra, with both expected back for Saturday's exhibition against the Magic in Jacksonville. "When those guys are out on the floor, I think you'll see a little bit of a different look. When those guys are wide, wide open, they're two of the deadliest shooters in the league."

Contributing to the Heat's 3-point struggles are second-year guard Daequan Cook, who is 2 of 14 from beyond the arc, and rookie guard Mario Chalmers, who is 2 of 7.

Beijing benefit
Guard Dwyane Wade said his time at the Beijing Games has him operating closer to regular-season form than during previous training camps.

"I'm gradually growing toward an even better rhythm, but I'm so much more ahead of the game than I would have been if I didn't play in the competitive Olympics this summer, at a high level," Wade said of his gold-medal experience.

"If the season started right now, I feel like I could go out there and do what needs to be done. I'm in pretty good shape, so it was a blessing for me." Wade ranks 11th in the league in preseason scoring, at 16.7 points per game, and is tied for 11th at 5.7 assists per game.

Chalmers struggles
Chalmers remains a work in progress at point guard, with nine assists to 10 turnovers in his three appearances.

"He's still understanding our system and how we wanted it run," Spoelstra said of the second-round pick out of Kansas. "He doesn't know all the plays, so when he's thinking out there too much, he's tentative."
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Source: Sun-Sentinel

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Help Wanted: 3 Point Shooters Needed

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Help Wanted: 3 Point Shooters Needed

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