Chalmers discovers fountain of youth with Miami Heat
Maybe some of the shine was scratched off the Miami Heat after the loss of key players, but Anchorage’s Mario Chalmers has sparkled as a bright spot this season.
The seventh-year point guard is having his finest season since his rookie year and you could argue the Alaskan has made an early bid for team MVP honors.
Chalmers has seen the ball in his hands in the fourth quarter more than All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Never short of confidence, Chalmers has thrived in his new role.
Chalmers, of Bartlett High fame, is averaging a career-high 13.2 points in 22 games. His 4.6 assist average is his second-highest, second only to the 4.9 mark he put up last year and as a rookie.
This is not the same Miami team that made a record four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, but the poise and play of Chalmers is a big reason the Heat have stayed above water.
He is one of only five guys on the squad to play in every game this season and he ranks first in steals, second in assists and fourth in scoring.
He has been so good that according to Elias Sports Bureau he is the first Heat player in nine years to lead the team in points and assists for three straight games and not be named LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Shaqille O’Neal.