Young players and parents this is a MUST READ article!
There are consequences at every level for being late to ANY team related event!
MIAMI - For the first time since he joined the Miami Heat out of the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft, Mario Chalmers was not a starter Tuesday night.
Chalmers, who has struggled for much of his second season, was removed from the starting lineup in the 115-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors at AmericanAirlines Arena in favor of Carlos Arroyo, after arriving late for a team practice earlier in the day.
"My point guard is going to be the example to the team," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "But we're moving on. It was a one-time deal."
Chalmers started all 82 games last season as a rookie, as well as the first 22 games this season.
Chalmers said he was "a couple of minutes" late.
"I made a mistake," he said. "I had to deal with the consequences. I've got to be more responsible."
It is the second roster shakeup in as many days for the Heat, which Monday released seldom-used forward Shavlik Randolph.
Arroyo's start was the 114th of his NBA career and his first since April 16, 2008, when he played 33 minutes for the Orlando Magic against the Washington Wizards and had three points, 11 assists and four rebounds in 33 minutes.
Chalmers' streak of consecutive starts began on the road against the New York Knicks on Oct. 29, 2008.
The last point guard to start a game for the Heat before Chalmers was Chris Quinn against the Atlanta Hawks on April 16, 2008, when he totaled 11 points, six assists and one rebound in 26 minutes.
Arroyo played 21 minutes and finished with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting and three assists. Chalmers played 27 minutes and closed with six points on 2-of-6 shooting and eight assists. Chalmers had one turnover, Arroyo had none.
Ira Winderman can be reached at
iwinderman@SunSentinel.com
