Mario Chalmers recently voiced his frustration with HC Erik Spoelstra's decision-making regarding the final play in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals when the Miami Heat pulled off a victory from the jaws of defeat after Ray Allen scored a game-tying three-pointer.

In his most recent appearance on the Bleacher Report's YouTube channel, Chalmers revealed that Spoelstra initially drew the play for LeBron James to score, which he was upset about since he saw Allen scoring backpedaling corner threes every other day in practice.

“Not going to lie, I was upset when Spo drew this up because I felt like we should’ve been running it for Ray instead of Bron, but you know superstars are superstars…he (Bron) got a great look actually and just missed it," Chalmers said.

Ray would be in practice every day, back-peddling to the corner, shooting 3s…I would ask him, ‘Why do you do that?’ and he always tells, ‘You never know what type of footwork you’re going to need in any type of moment’…so I knew it was a good shot…” He added.

In the end, things turned out pretty well for Chalmers and the rest of the Miami Heat after Allen's shot was heard around the world. It did not just secure them an overtime victory, but the Heat went on to win back-to-back championships.

But this is not the only gripe that Chalmers had with the final play of the fourth quarter. According to him, he was also wide open during the play to turn the tide in favor of the Heat.

Mario Chalmers Wanted the Final Shot in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals

In an interview with AM 560 Sports WQAM in 2023, Chalmers was asked why he had his hands raised at the bench corner when Bosh got the rebound. His reply was:

“I was wide open, and I wanted the shot… I think I even told him something like “good shot but I was wide open too”…….I would’ve definitely made it."

To Chalmers' credit, he was indeed wide open on the corner opposite to where Ray Allen's iconic shot took place.

In addition, he was also having a great game himself, with 20 points on 7-11 field goal shooting, including 4-5 from three-point distance. He also shot 40.9% from three that season.

On the contrary, before Allen's game-tying three, he had only an efficiency of 2-of-7 and scored just 5 points. But he also had an impressive .419 three-point shooter that season and had a career mark of 40% from downtown.

So yes, if the roles were reversed, it would be fair to say that even Chalmers would have scored that three and gotten his career-defining moment. But on that night, the spotlight was on Ray Allen.

Do you think Mario Chalmers would have been successful in scoring that three-pointer if Chris Bosh had passed the ball to him instead? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at the Air Jordan Chronicles!

Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy