The Miami Heat were eliminated by the Charlotte Hornets Tuesday in the Play-In Tournament. Does Pat Riley need to make a chance?
Former Miami Heat player Mario Chalmers was among the most outspoken players during his time with the organization.
He was drafted in 2008 but made his mark while playing in the Big Three era with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Chalmers was the starting point guard on teams that won two championships in four straight NBA Finals appearances from 2010-14.
He often showed confidence and brash on the court and in the interview room. So it came as no surprise when he offered his take on why the organization appears in purgatory after Tuesday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets in the Play-In Tournament.
This season follows two first-round playoff losses. On a recent appearance on the Run It Back podcast, Chalmers gave his reasoning for the struggles.
"Nobody wants to come to South Beach any more," Chalmers said. "In my opinion, I think they're scared of the work. Not scared of the work but they don't want to put that type of work to be in the Miami Heat organization, the Heat Culture and everything that comes with it."
Time was, the Heat would attract top free agents like James and trade for players such as Shaquille O'Neal, Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler. Since the Butler trade in 2018, the Heat's biggest acquisition is Norman Powell last summer. While Powell was an All-Star his first season in Miami, he was nothing close to the "whales" team president Pat Riley is used to coveting.
Riley has earned a reputation for running the tightest of ships during his Hall of Fame career that spans with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Heat. Chalmers suggested it may be time for Riley to loosen up.
Maybe then the Heat can return to luring top 10 players in the league.
"I think Pat might have to open up the reigns and let people actually be them and play," Chalmers said.
This is expected to be another summer where the Heat have their hand in chasing several big-time players but it will likely take a trade of Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro for that to happen.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com