A two-time champion, veteran point guard Mario Chalmers has not given up hope of resuming his NBA career. The 33-year-old has not suited up since the 2017/18 season when he appeared in 66 games for the Grizzlies.
After a productive eight-year run with the Heat and Grizzlies, a torn Achilles injury in 2016 forced Chalmers to miss all of the 2016/17 season. As Chalmers — who is currently with the Big3’s 3 Headed Monsters — tells Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel, he’s hopeful for one more chance.
“It’s been kind of tough,” Chalmers said. “I’ve had a great NBA career. I’ve had a lot of fun playing. I still want to play. I still want to play at a high level.”
In addition to being the starting point guard on two Heat championship teams, Chalmers has career averages of 8.9 PPG, 3.7 APG and 35% shooting from beyond the arc.
After receiving no offers in the summer of 2018, Chalmers suited up for Virtus Bologna in Italy’s Serie A, leading the team to a championship. The Kansas product has not been a stranger to championship success; in college, in the NBA and in international play.
Hopeful of another opportunity, Chalmers has one round number in mind.
“I’m happy just to be playing basketball. But I do want to get back in the NBA,” he said. “As a kid, you always dream about being in this league. I always said to myself, I at least want 10-plus years in the league. I’m at nine right now. So I definitely want to get back in the league for at least two, three more years if I can. At least one, if anything.”
He played in 10 games for that Italian team… and shot terribly. Best of luck.
Hang it up. You won several titles , nothing to prove and was average at best. Time to move on You accomplished more than anyone thought possible.
That league and lifestyle is an addiction. There’s a reason why players want to hang on as “a lockerroom guy”, a mentor, asst coach, Player Development coach, etc… the league isn’t the real world. Being at home is. That’s not “fun”.
Mario was a slightly better version of Matt Delly and was more consistent who played a few years longer with LeBron. The man couldn’t shoot well, was a average passer at best, could defend his position but wasnt exactly great and he just got carried. He might say something like I won rings, I defended good back in the days when you could shove players and blah blah blah but he’s just as washed up as Deron Williams is
First 6 years in the league, averaged 37% from 3 on 3.5 attempts per game…was elite at getting steals. He gambled a lot, but also could defend his man. Could have been better as a pick and roll defender, but that’s why they had Norris Cole, and they also had Chris Bosh at the time in that regard. 3rd all time in Heat assists. Also was always super clutch. He won in high school, college, the NBA, and overseas, which I’m not sure if anyone has done.
Also Deron Williams when he was healthy was arguably the best PG in the league for a while, before Chris Paul climbed over him/cemented himself in that spot, so being compared to him shouldn’t be an insult lol