Ranking 15 worst starters of the Dwyane Wade era
By Tyler Watts
4. Carlos Arroyo
Arroyo was an NBA journeyman who is best known for leading his native Puerto Rico to a win over Team USA at the 2004 Olympics. The 6’2 guard arrived in the association in 2001 after four years at Florida International. He went undrafted and bounced around a bit before earning the starting gig with the Jazz in 2004.
Arroyo played for five different NBA teams before heading to Israel in 2008 to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He led his team to the championship and secured finals MVP honors.
After just one year abroad, Arroyo jumped back into the NBA with the Heat. The 6’2 guard averaged 6.1 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in 22.0 minutes. He made 35 starts during the regular season and all five during the playoffs. Arroyo’s production declined as the Heat were bounced in the opening round by the Celtics.
LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined the Heat in the 2010 offseason, but Arroyo remained a starter. He was putting up 5.6 points and 2.0 assists in 20.3 minutes per game before being waived by Miami in March. Mario Chalmers replaced him in the starting five and the Heat moved on completely to sign Mike Bibby.
Carlos Arroyo was a regrettable starter next to Dwyane Wade, and the Miami Heat wisely found a better option. The 6’2 guard finished the season with the Celtics before heading back overseas to wrap up his playing career.