3. Mario Chalmers
May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) pushes the ball inside the key against Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mario Chalmers gets a bad wrap by Heat fans. He’s allowed the shortest leash and the least amount of leeway, but if Bimbo Coles found a spot on this list thanks to his time put in, Chalmers finds the next level of this. Like Coles, the Heat were always looking for an upgrade from Chalmers. Ever since he was acquired as a second round pick in the 2008 draft, the Heat have added other point guards to either start over him or compete with him, and Chalmers has fought and clawed every single year for his playing time.
Chalmers started all 82 games as a rookie, then lost his job the next two before getting it back in the second year of the Big Three era. He held on to that job until the beginning of last season, when the Heat named Norris Cole the starting point guard. Chalmers eventually reclaimed his position, beating out Cole (who was traded mid-season) and first-round pick Shabazz Napier (traded away after one year).
Now the Heat have made a real upgrade, acquiring Goran Dragic and re-signing him. Chalmers won’t beat out Dragic for that job, but he remains for yet another era of Heat basketball.
Chalmers never had a spectacular season but, after seven seasons, ranks fourth all time in games played for the Heat, fourth in 3-pointers, third in assists and second in steals.
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