Miami Heat Roster & Trade Rumors: Norris Cole Returns to Cleveland Too?

Aside from superstar LeBron James, another Miami Heat player was warmly welcomed by Cleveland fans in his return.

Norris Cole was in Cleveland, Ohio on September 19 to be the grand marshal of the homecoming parade of Cleveland State University. Cole also drove by the Wolstein Center of CSU, which featured a banner of his smiling face, with a caption that he was a homegrown NBA champion. A luncheon was also held at Fenn Tower in his honor.

He said about the banner, "It's a blessing man. That's what it is."

Cole, like LeBron, also has two championship rings courtesy of Miami Heat. 

According to Cleveland.com, Cole enjoyed his return to Cleveland and owes a lot to the state.

"There's an unbelievable amount of success I owe and appreciation I have for Cleveland State. The fact that they appreciate me enough to support me and put me up there is special. And keep me up there - it's still up there," the Heat point guard said.

"Cleveland State helped me develop as a man, socially, mentally, physically, I grew up here. It was great. Going from a high school boy from Dayton to becoming a man when I left, was kind of special." 

While Cleveland, Cole also took time to reveal his relatiosnhip with former Maimi superstar, Lebron.

"We're still friends. Business is business, but personal life is personal life. Him coming back to Cleveland doesn't replace those battles we went through together as champions. Our bond, our brotherhood we built, is not going to be broken just because he plays for a different team," the player said. "Obviously, when we play basketball, I'm all Miami Heat. That's who pays my checks, that's what team I play for. I'm all Miami Heat. But, the fact that he's able to come home nad the fans here in Cleveland are going to be able to enjoy him again, I'm happy for them, too."

Before getting drafted by the Miami Heat in 2011, Cole was 2011 Horizon League Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He was selected No. 28 in the first round of the NBA draft. Cole and James were good friends in Cleveland even before they played together with the Miami Heat.

According to Fansided, the departure of LeBron James will provide Cole with more playing time. Before, the Heat had a lot of options in handling the basketball between LeBron, Wade and Chalmers. Now, Cole can expect to hold the ball more frequently as point guard. The Heat will also rely on him more in terms of on-ball defense.