Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 4, 1995 TAG: 9501040080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Coles, a backup for most of his four NBA seasons, was thrust into the starting lineup when Brian Shaw signed as a free agent with Orlando.
``There's just a lot of things I need to learn,'' said Coles, a former Virginia Tech standout. ``I never had anybody to teach me how to be a point guard.''
``I'm starting to learn what a point guard does, but still at times I really need to know exactly, so it comes naturally on the court.''
His left big toe didn't help matters. Coles sprained it during training camp and the toe kept getting stepped on as the Heat struggled to a 1-7 start.
The 6-foot-2 pro had to make a decision: surgery or a cortisone shot. For the man who still goes by his childhood nickname, it wasn't an easy decision.
``I don't really like to take anything, I don't like to take aspirin,'' Coles said. ``I just deal with pain. It's just something I told myself I wouldn't do. It came down to either doing that or sitting out for three months with surgery.''
After receiving the shot Dec.7, Coles went on a tear, averaging 16.1 points and 9.5 assists in eight games. He also has become the all-time Heat leader in assists, with 1,421.
``I can move quicker and faster now,'' Coles said.
He has cooled lately, averaging 11.3 points going into tonight's game against Boston. However, Cole has persuaded coach Kevin Loughery he can run the show.
``He is playing as consistently as any player we have,'' Loughery said. ``Bimbo has to be in full gear all the time to be effective.''
That is why Loughery would like to limit Bimbo's playing time in hopes of keeping him fresh.
``He is playing a lot of minutes and he gives his full effort,'' Loughery said.
Coles reluctantly agreed.
``When I was a backup point guard, I knew how many minutes I was going to get,'' he said. ``I was all-out the whole time I was in the game, but right now I can't just really push the ball and go all-out full-court defense the whole time like I would if I was coming off the bench.''
Coles came to the Heat in a trade for Rory Sparrow in June 1990. He quickly became known for his whirlwind style - he has broken his nose at least twice in the NBA.
He also established himself as one of the consummate athlete on the team. The California Angels drafted him in the June 1990 baseball draft.
Coles finished his college basketball career as Virginia Tech's scoring leader, with 2,484 points. Yet, he wasn't a big scorer for the Heat, coming off the bench until this season. At first, he struggled with his new role and a new lineup that includes former Atlanta Hawks forward Kevin Willis and former Golden State Warriors forward Billy Owens.
Coles averaged 8.6 points and 6.4 assists in the first seven games. Opposing guards, meanwhile, were averaging 16.6 points.
But once Loughery settled on a lineup, Coles' job became easier. The Heat - which has used at least eight starting lineups - also has stabilized, splitting its past eight games.
``I think everybody is learning the plays and starting to jell - that has really helped me more than the cortisone shot,'' Coles said.
by CNB