Nov 17, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) drives the ball during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mario Chalmers
Mario Chalmers is thankful for his new-found role as the Heat’s sixth man. He’s thriving in his spot, averaging a career-high in points and attempts per game and cracking a usage rate of 23 percent for the first time in his career.
Why has he been so effective? Because when he’s going against second units without Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, he can focus on being the lead dog. He doesn’t feel like he has to differ to LeBron James, Wade or Bosh and can be the aggressive scorer he was earlier in his career before the Big Three. He’s especially thrived in Wade’s absence, when he’s been able to reenter the starting unit and initiate the offense by getting to the rim and kicking out to teammates.
So expect Chalmers to get his fill of turkey and shots.
Norris Cole
Norris Cole is thankful for the left side of the court.
Andre Dawkins
Andre Dawkins is thankful for Khem Birch not being able to score on offense. If Birch existed on offense, chances are he would have gotten the bid over Dawkins for the final roster spot. Dawkins is also thankful for Shannon Brown being lousy at defense. After the Heat signed Hassan Whiteside, the team decided to part ways with Brown rather than option off Dawkins to the D-League.