The Heat has played 38 games and rookie point guard Mario Chalmers is struggling after a fast start, so it's time to consider the usual explanation for these things in the NBA.
"The proverbial rookie wall?" Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Friday. "I don't know if there is a wall. I think there is an adjustment period. And I think there is more so for a point guard than any other position." Chalmers has been in a funk the past three games while shooting 1 of 13 from the floor. Chalmers' defense has slipped, too - he said he feels "a step slower" and isn't reading the floor as well anymore.
Chalmers played just nine minutes in the Heat's win at Milwaukee on Wednesday and its loss at the Lakers on Monday.
"Right now I am just in a slump," Chalmers said. "I have got the veterans right there cheering me on and giving me words of advice and I think that has really helped me a lot."
Among them is Dwyane Wade, who from the start took note of Chalmers' supreme confidence. Now Chalmers said part of his problem is getting down on himself when things don't go well.
Wade recalled that he had to "push through" stretches of his rookie season, when he also played point guard.
"There's not many rookies that came in and just had a free-for-all all the way through the season," he said.
Spoelstra said he's sure Chalmers will recover and is surprised his production hadn't dipped in spots before. He said he wants to reduce Chalmers' minutes.
"I was playing him big minutes early in the year, and that may or may not have had an effect," Spoelstra said.
"It could be that," Chalmers said. "It could be a lot of things. I think the main thing is being focused and ready. I think these couple days off really helped me."
Spoelstra said he didn't want to "overreact" and is inclined to stick with Chalmers as the starting point guard.
Focus on Rockets
The Heat is 3-2 on its seven-game road trip and faces a Rockets team missing main cogs Tracy McGrady (knee) and Ron Artest (ankle). The Heat finishes the trip Sunday at Oklahoma City.
Spoelstra warned the Heat against thinking about a 5-2 trip.
"Right now our focus has got to be Houston," he said. "They are playing very good Basketball regardless of whether McGrady or Artest are playing."
INFORMATIONAL BOX:
Tonight Heat at Rockets
When/where: 8:30, Toyota
Center
TV: SUN Radio: WINZ (940-AM), WQBA (1140-AM, Spanish)
Scouting report: The Rockets and Heat meet for the second and final time this season after Houston won 107-98 on Nov. 24 in Miami . ... The Heat has lost the season series just once in the past 13 years with six wins and six splits during that time. .... Forwards Tracy McGrady (knee) and Ron Artest (ankle) are out for the Rockets.
- Michael Cunningham
