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| Mario Chalmers finally has an NBA roster spot again. |
"First off, I'm glad to be healthy. Body feels right, again. I want to thank the San Antonio Spurs organization for giving me a shot, and I will make the most of it. I'm capable of doing everything they ask me to do. At this point of my career, I'm wanting what is best for the team, what's best for the organization, trying to take care of little things that keep me on the court and help a team win. They win championships here. I've won a couple rings in Miami, had some wars with these guys, so I'm excited to be part of all this. It's kind of come full circle."
Chalmers is known for hitting the game-winning shot in the NCAA Tournament with Kansas, and for me being part of the "Big 3" superteam in Miami, the same that took on these Spurs and even came away with a title over them. Rest assured, Chalmers likely won't harp on that too much as he seems legitimately interested in contributing to the team. The Spurs went all last season without a third string point guard, forcing them to put more wear on Mills (who may have been having a bad game) or Murray (who'd played well and deserved a rest) or vice versa. The Spurs haven't had a third string since trading away Tony Parker to the Kings, and before then it was the likes of Jordan Farmar, Toney Douglas and Ray McCallum. Even Manu Ginobili took on backup point guard duties before his retirement, so this signing definitely fortifies a weak point.
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| Parker drives past Chalmers in the NBA Finals |
Chalmers has always been a worthy defender, notably against Tony Parker in those Finals showdowns. After being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies a few seasons ago, "Rio" had a standout 29-point effort, before suffering a ruptured achilles a month later and wound up missing an entire year of basketball as teams were cautious of his injury recovery. He came back to Memphis the next season and played well in stints, but the Grizzlies opted not to re-sign him this summer. Rio began to lose hope in finding a roster spot, contemplating overseas action, and then RC Buford called.
"Once a baller, always a baller. The ruptured achilles knocked me down, but I'm a big believer in perseverance. So, man, let me tell you that I can't wait to get on the court." Despite Mills being on the team, Chalmers may take on a mentor role with Dejounte Murray, a role previously owned by Tony Parker, before he was dealt to the Sacramento Kings for Skal Labissiere.
