X

Have feedback / suggestions? Let us know!

NBA Miami Heat

Mario Chalmers Has Become Vital Part of Guard Rotation for Miami Heat

By @outofboundsjay

November 18, 2014; Anthony Gruppusso; Mario Chalmers

Anthony Gruppusso- USA Today Sports

When the Miami Heat offered Mario Chalmers a two-year, $8.4 million contract this summer, the majority of the Heat fan base scoffed at the notion of bringing back a player who had been so sporadic throughout the 2014 NBA Finals. This season though, Chalmers has silenced the critics by backing up his contract with some absolutely stellar play, playing both with the starting lineup and off the bench.

With Dwyane Wade’s absence from the starting lineup (due to a hamstring injury), Chalmers has taken over the starting two guard spot, and excelled at it. Through his three games as starting shooting guard, Chalmers has averaged 21 points, seven assists and two rebounds on 53 percent shooting from the field and 51 percent from beyond the arc. Chalmers’ scoring has been a steady presence for the offense, especially with Chris Bosh struggling as much as he has recently.

Once Wade returns from his hamstring injury, Chalmers minutes will go back down to the average mean, but it is a promising sign that he can produce these kinds of averages when given the heavy-minute load. This season, even though he is averaging fewer minutes than past seasons, Chalmers is scoring a career-high 13.5 points per game while playing off the bench. He is also shooting 45 percent from the field, which is the second-highest mark of his career (his highest being last season at 45 percent). Even with Wade back in the fold, Chalmers’ offensive production as a role player will be vital in keeping the Heat franchise in contention mode.

Jared Doyle is a Miami Heat writer for www.RantSports.com.

Follow him on Twitter @outofboundsjay, “Like” him on

Facebook or follow him on Google. 

 

Google

Share Tweet
Trending Now on