Step Up Players: Mario Chalmers

The first player on the step up list is Mario Chalmers. If the Heat are going to defeat the Spurs, Chalmers will have to play at a very high level.  Here are a couple of in depth reasons why.

PLAYING AGAINST THE BEST OF THE BEST
As most of us know, Chalmers is guarding one of the best point guards in the league in Tony Parker. Granted, Parker does is dealing with a bum ankle, but Parker understands that it's the Finals and he will bring his 'A' game. Throughout this year's playoffs, Parker has averaged 17 points per game and 5 assist. The last three games of the Western Conference Finals, Parker was a scoring machine. Parker averaged 25 points per game. In addition , Miami knows what Parker is capable of. He torched the Heat last year, and at times looked unstoppable. In order for Miami to win, Chalmers must match the intensity of Parker on both defense and offense.


CHALMERS CAN BE CLUTCH
Watching the Heat play throughout the season and in the playoffs, Chalmers is very interesting. He has a tendency to disappear in certain games, then turnaround and make a huge impact on another. One thing that I have to realized about Chalmers that makes him valuable is his ability to step up. Chalmers has a knack for stepping up when his team is against the wall. I've never seen a player who can have a multitude of poor games in a series, then burst for 20-25 points to help his team. While he does has his ups and downs, Chalmers knows how to step up and produce at least one great game for his team.

Throughout his career in Miami, Chalmers has put together a string of performances that his really helped the Heat get to their 4th straight finals.

Many people may not remember this, but Chalmers is the reason that Derrick Rose did not win a NCAA championship back in 2008. With time winding down, Chalmers hit a three to put the game into overtime. In Game 5 of the 2012 playoffs, Chalmers helped the Heat win by pouring in 25 points in which 19 of those points came in the 2nd half. Chalmers has the ability to score and wreak havoc against opposing teams when he plays at his highest level.


                                                                       
GOOD IS ENOUGH
Obviously Chalmers is no Tony Parker. However , if Chalmers can at least play well , the gap in production between the two won't be as large. In a series that has two evenly matched teams, any small increase in production can really hurt and help a team. In game 1, Chalmers was in foul trouble throughout the duration of the game, scoring only 3 points and 1 assist. Parker finished the game with 19 points and 8 assists. That 16 point/ 7 assist gap cannot happen if Miami wants to win this series. Statistically, Chalmers needs to try to get into double figures to go with 4-5 assist. If he can do so, that would be a major counter attack to the production of Parker. While Chalmers doesn't have to play great, good production can make a HUGE  impact on this series.