Chalmers thriving after trade from Heat to Grizzlies

By Ira Winderman/Sun SentinelIf last week’s trade of Mario Chalmers to the Memphis Grizzlies truly was about upgrading the backcourt more than luxury-tax savings, as the Miami Heat have stressed, then Chalmers has upped the ante for Heat rotation replacement Tyler Johnson.Since joining the Grizzlies last week, Chalmers is averaging 20.3 points on .522 shooting from the field and .583 shooting on 3-pointers, with the Grizzles going 3-0.Included in Chalmers’ efforts was a 29-point performance in 23 minutes Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the highest-scoring game of his career when playing as a reserve.“I just try to bring as much energy to the game as possible,” Chalmers said after his latest effort. “It means a lot when your coach and your teammates have confidence and they want you to shoot.”Chalmers said he sees the Grizzlies emulating the formula of defense and balanced scoring that helped him win NBA championships with the Heat in 2012 and ‘13.“From my experience,” he said, “that’s how I won two and I’m trying to come here and help them do the same.”No sooner was Monday’s Grizzlies game over then Heat guard Dwyane Wade tweeted, “way to take that champion swagger to Memphis.”According to Synergy Sports Tech, Chalmers averaged 0.717 points per possession with the Heat this season, when he mostly still was playing ahead of Johnson. With the Grizzlies, he has averaged 1.4 points per possession.Chalmers has reached a new season scoring high in each of his three games with the Grizzlies, with 11, 16 and the 29 points against the Thunder. He did not score more than nine in any of his six appearances this season with the Heat.He said he has found a comfort zone playing off the ball alongside Grizzlies starting point guard Mike Conley.“Playing with guys like D-Wade and LeBron James, who always handle the ball, playing off the ball is something I’m used to,” he said.Of his 3-point percentage soaring upon his arrival in Memphis, he said, “I haven’t had to take a lot of threes at the end of the clock, a lot of forced threes.”Unlike the Heat with their four-day break after acquiring Udrih and Stokes, only now is Chalmers getting time on the Grizzlies’ practice court.“My teammates have made it very easy to go out there and play,” he said, also giving credit to Dave Joerger. “Thanks to coach for keeping the playbook simple for me.”Chalmers converted the overtime-forcing 3-pointer for Kansas in what proved to be a national-championship victory over Memphis in the 2008 NCAA title game. That left him with the extra burden of winning over Memphis’ fans.“It actually gave me more motivation,” he said of earning cheers with Monday’s performance, “just to come out and prove to the fans that I want to be here, I belong here. And hopefully they’ll forget about 2008.”