New Orleans Pelicans guard Norris Cole is known for his trigger happy fits on the court, quite similar to Barret Wallace’s personality from Final Fantasy Seven.
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This was a difficult season for New Orleans Pelicans guard Norris Cole. After making a huge difference in the Pelicans’ playoff run last year, Cole struggled to make any positive impact this season.
One of the things he became well known for in his 45 games played in 2015-2016 was his shooting. He shot a LOT. Cole averaged 26 minutes a game, while shooting 10.8 shots a game. When he got the ball, he fired it away. It resembles a character from one of the most popular role-playing video games of all time…Final Fantasy 7.
Final Fantasy 7’s beginning is set in Midgar, the capital city of the entire planet. Midgar houses the Shinra Electric Power Company, which also works as the world’s government. The main character is Cloud Strife, a Mercenary helping an eco-terrorist group called AVALANCHE destroy Shinra’s Mako Reactor’s which are believed to be destroying the planet. The leader of AVALANCHE is none other than Barret Wallace.
Barret is a polarizing character of sorts. The most noticeable characteristic about Barret is his right arm. The arm was mangled in the loss of his hometown and is now replaced by a “gun-arm”. He’s known for being brash and has a short temper. That rage can cause him to lash out.
The best way he does this? He fires his gun-arm in the air in rage fits numerous times throughout the game. He sees himself as a leader, yet gets himself caught in shooting fits more often than not. Sound familiar?
Norris Cole is a bench guard who put up a shot every two minutes and 24 seconds. He did shoot over 40 percent on the season, yet the shot selection was poor no matter if it went in or not. Norris Cole made a habit of firing away when it was completely unnecessary. Just like Barret Wallace.
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What’s kind of sad is the fact both of these guys are deeper than you’d think. Norris Cole was the Salutatorian of his senior class and member of the National Honor Society. He’s also showed his ability to play the piano during NBA All-Star Weekend. Cole was also a part of the two Miami Heat NBA Title teams in 2012 and 2013.
Cole is deep. When he came to the New Orleans Pelicans, it was hoped he could be a leader of sorts for the team due to his experience. Yet after his performance this year, the only think that comes up with Cole is his obsession with shooting. It’s scary.
The same thing is true for Barret Wallace. He’s a leader of AVALANCHE, someone not afraid to give orders and keep his team together. Barret is also a father to a young daughter early on in the game, Marlene. While he’s leading his charge, he’s still looking out for his child in the best way a caring parent can.
His loyalty towards his fellow teammates is also a major personality trait. His heart for his daughter and fellow AVALANCHE members is clear. He’s shown throughout the entire game to be a deep, oddly loving person. And yet most fans remember him for the moments he recklessly fires his gun in rage.
It’s their performance when it matters on the battlefield that reflect the general opinion of Cole and Wallace. When Cole is on the court, he fires away at everything, covering up the true player he can become in the NBA.
Similar to Barret, who is seen more for his frustration overwhelming him to fire away at the sky than for his leadership and caring nature. Both have a deep, interesting tale to tell, however their inability to show anything other than their trigger-happiness on the playing field overshadows everything else.
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Norris Cole and Barret Wallace can be such key components to great success in their own right. However, their inability to calm their unnecessary shooting fits end up hurting their teams on multiple occasions. For Cole, it could end up costing him a future roster spot on the New Orleans Pelicans. Barret Wallace’s best moments in Final Fantasy 7 are when he puts away the gun and shows the other parts of his personality, covered up by his rage. If Norris Cole can put down the gun arm and do the same, he might still have time to salvage his NBA career.