Mario Chalmers checked in to today’s episode of Scoop B Radio and discussed a ton including Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, Paul Pierce, Bam Adebayo and Bronny James
Chalmers spent eight years with the Heat and won two championships with the team during their Big 3 era that included LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Guided by head coach Erik Spoelstra during that championship run, Chalmers shared that he learned a thing or two from Coach Spo.
“One thing about Spo, he’s not a person that thinks he knows it all,” Chalmers tells Scoop B Radio.
“He’s gonna get in that film room, he’s gonna figure out things to make the team better. When you have that mentality the sky’s the limit.”
Chalmers has been paying attention to today’s Miami Heat team and its star in Jimmy Butler.
Some experts predict that Jimmy will leave or ultimately be traded. That rhetoric developed at the end of last season, when Heat President voiced displeasure with Butler after Butler stated that the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks would have been eliminated in the NBA Playoffs if he were healthy during the Playoffs. The Celtics defeated the Heat in their first-round playoff series, which Butler missed due to a sprained MCL.
Riley responded to Butler’s assertion at a presser by telling Butler to “keep your mouth shut.”
For him to say that, I thought, ‘Is that Jimmy trolling or is that Jimmy [being] serious?’” Riley said.
“If you’re not on the court, playing against Boston, or you’re not on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut in your criticism of those teams.”
Butler is entering the final year of his deal with the Heat, which will see the 34-year-old make $48.8 million. He also holds a $52.4 million player option for 2026.
Riley’s comments this offseason led to many esteemed experts speculating that Butler could get traded to a multitude of other teams including the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors or even the Brooklyn Nets.
While that talk will likely continue Chalmers who has heard the noise, would like to see the Heat and Butler work it out. “Not saying that he’s leaving,” he tells Scoop B Radio.
“It’s just saying, we gotta make some more pieces to make this team a championship contender. We’ve been there so many times, we just haven’t gotten over the hump yet. We gotta figure this out. I don’t think it’s any bad blood, I just think it’s a business decision.”
Jimmy Butler was not the only topic of conversation in the Miami Heat world; so too was his teammate, Bam Adebayo. The three-time NBA All Star center begins this season having won a second Olympic gold medal as a member of Team USA this summer. Back in July, Adebayo signed a lucrative maximum contract extension that keeps him under contract with the Heat through the 2028-29 season.
Last season, Adebayo averaged 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per contest and was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team list. Despite the accolades, Adebayo has yet to be awarded the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, despite finishing in the top five in voting each of the past five years. “Politics,” said Chalmers when asked why Adebayo has yet to win the award.
“I had him winning it last year.I just think Bam when it comes to switching to the perimeter and guarding guards. You can’t name anyone better. He’ll get his recognition soon.”
Chalmers has also paid attention to Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James, LA’s second round pick in June’s NBA Draft and the son of the team’s franchise player, LeBron James.
Chalmers recalls seeing Bronny James bouncing a basketball at the Heat practice facility during his father’s tenure in Miami. “Bronny just stayed in the gym,” he said.
While many experts have accused James and his agent, Rich Paul of nepotism by forcing the Lakers hand in drafting Bronny James, Chalmers praises the James family and Paul for protecting Bronny’s best interest. “I salute Bron,” Chalmers said of his former Heat teammate.
“I salute him and his son for even having a chance, to have his son be that good to be at that level and Bron for being in shape to still be at that level. You can’t take that away from him.
“I have no problem at all. I think it’s a perfect opportunity. History has been made, more importantly Black history has been made.”
Chalmers has also paid attention to the career of Dwyane Wade post-retirement.
The Naismith Hall of Famer and best to ever play in a Miami Heat uniform has had a diverse portfolio post-career. The franchise’s all-time leader in points, games played, minutes played, assists and steals has done television analyst work most recently with NBC during this summer’s Olympics and has a minority ownership stake in the Utah Jazz. “I’m not shocked at all,” Chalmers says of Wade’s success post-carer.
“He was doing it lowkey while we were playing.”
A three-time NBA Champion, Olympic Gold medalist, and thirteen-time NBA All-Star, the Heat will unveil a statue of Wade in front of the Kaseya Center on October 27.
Wade put the franchise on the map during the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Down 0-2, Wade came alive in Game 3, when he scored 12 points in the final seven minutes to rally the Heat from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit.
A member of the 2008 College Basketball National Championship winning Kansas Jayhawks under head coach Bill Self, Chalmers, a native of Anchorage, Alaska, has the distinction of being the only Alaskan to win a championship on the high school, college and pro levels.
He spoke fondly of the Heat’s rivalry with the Boston Celtics and fellow Kansas Jayhawk, Paul Pierce. “You know it’s always gonna be bad blood between Boston and Miami,” Chalmers tells Scoop B Radio.
“I talk crap to Paul Pierce and he talks crap to me. It’s always gonna be a rivalry.”
While Chalmers spoke extensively about former teammates and the state of the Miami Heat, he also discussed projects that he is working on including a new Youtube Series. “Trying to get that going you know,” he said.
Everyday life of a retired athlete,taking care of my kids training my kids. My daughter is a top 50 eighth grader in the nation. So following her journey, being there for her. Making sure my son is on the same thing. He just started AAU, it’s just about supporting the kids and training the kids.”
While Chalmers does not have a name for his Youtube series just yet, he has the show’s concept figured out.
“ I don’t want it to be my name and a former NBA player,” he said.
“I wanna give it a whole different lifestyle too. You know we’re still people too.”
Make Sure To Watch Mario Chalmers’ Full Interview On Scoop B Radio Here.
