Rookies and former college teammates Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur, were caught with possession of marijuana Wednesday night while attending the NBA's Rookie transition program camp.
The consequences of their actions: a $20,000 fine, public embarrassment, and a damaged public reputatuion before logging one official minute in their professional careers.
In addition to the illegal substances found, several women also occupied Chalmer's and Arthur's hotel room, another violation of camp rules.
Highly regarded by Pat Riley, Mario was chosen by the Miami Heat in the second round of the NBA draft in June to help solidify a promising core down in South Beach.
- B/R Ticket Guide
The combination of Chalmers, Beasley, Wade, and Marion was supposed to jumpstart a team who had the worst record in the league last year at 15-67.
Chalmers looked to be the Heat’s starting point guard heading into 2008-09 season, but because of this new development that plan seems to be halted.
Riley despises character issues in his players; a major reason why the seasoned coach wasn’t fond of drafting Michael Beasley second overall.
As for Arthur, he was expected to be one of the centerpieces of the Grizzlies' franchise, side by side with Mike Conley Jr., O.J. Mayo, and Rudy Gay.
Memphis acquired Darrell in hopes of avenging the third worst record in the Western Conference last season at 22-60.
The duo also may begin the season on the league's suspension list, postponing their anticipated debuts.
The youngsters have not only failed to honor the NBA's substance abuse policy but have also penalized themselves, their teams, and their fans because of their poor judgement.
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2 months ago
It's South Beach, what do you expect lol?
Pretty sad to see them doing this especially even before entering their first NBA camp.
2 months ago
Michael Beasley was in the room too. He was not asked to leave camp. Hard to imagine David Stern wasn't consulted on this one. There's no chance he was illegally discriminating, though. David Stern is a lawyer who knows much better than to break the law.
2 months ago
Hilarious! So much for the "Rookie Transition Program." These dudes couldn't even hold off for the four days of the Program, which I imagine means there's more of this to come. I can see the steam shooting out of Riley's ears.
2 months ago
I hope you all don't think these aren't the only players who smoke pot in the NBA. That doesn't make it right, but I'm not surprised at all.
2 months ago
Sean,
this article is a very very unfortunate commentary. It's laden with irresponsible assumptions. Such as this:
"Chalmers looked to be the Heat’s starting point guard heading into 2008-09 season, but because of this new development that plan seems to be halted."
-Did Pat Riley say that that plan has been halted? Or, D-Wade? Or someone who is amongst the shot-callers on The Heat who certainly had no problem publicly showing *starting rotation* confidence in Chalmers? If you had no facts, you shouldn't have posted it. Since nothing 'seemed' that way outside of, in your own mind.
here's another one that you really should have kept to yourself until you had proof:
"The youngsters have not only failed to honor the NBA's substance abuse policy"
-They failed? When? Where? At what point? Because last time I checked, a Substance Abuse policy is regarding *failing* or testing positive, I repeat, testing positive for marijuana use. Possessing marijuana, vs. testing positive for marijuana, are two entirely different dimensions. Your article, itself, even mentions how there were more than just NBA-personnel at the gathering...meaning that could've belonged to/been present there for any number of people outside of Arthur/Chalmers. Correct? So you really should consider getting your facts straight, in the future, before creating an article.
I mean, I understand that since they're Black players we're always expected to assume the worst, but hey, if we quit getting our news from White-racist orgs then we prevent from coming here/posting it, and looking as guilty of using *poor judgement* as Arthur and Chalmers.
from 2 months ago
If you know basketball, (which you don't) you would easily know Pat Riley simply does not reward his players with starting positions after they get caught with an illegal substance.
Riley is all about character.
If you also know Pat, he was extremely fond of Chalmers, exactly why the Heat sent 2 first round raft picks and $2 million to the Timberwolves for his right.
He also scored 23 points and went 17-17 from the free throw line against Derrick Rose in a Summer League game, but I'm sure Mario wasn't going to start this year?!?!
Why would Dwyane Wade object to that? If anything Wade would welcome Mario because he finally has a credible point guard to take the weight off his shoulders in the backcourt, and it makes Miami a stronger team.
Plain and simple, the rookies engaged in smoking the substance, viloating league rules.
One again, this has nothing to do with race, but you feel to need to stir up this topic because you hae nothing else better to do. Its not like you can write anything good so you attempt to bash others' work and create a story about two rookies you have made bad choices into a racist scandal.
Newsflash: There has been white players that have been caught with marijuana also.
Point Guard Jason Williams is one of them. He has tested positive twice for the drug in his career.
So lets not make this a race issue.
2 months ago
Sean,
You obviously don't read very well. What a shame.
First correction: You don't have to tell me about Mario Chalmers. I predicted him as a lottery pick, one week before the draft, thats how much I * was already up on* what he brought to the basketball court. For instance, you mentioned what he did to Derrick Rose in a summer league game? Let me go a step further, and remind you, it was merely an extension of how 'he owned Rose' since April in the NCAA Final Four when they faced each other...so wise up!
Second correction: I long long long ago predicted he would be a starter for the Heat. I already knew he would be starting if he stayed focus in summer league, which he did, to the magnitude of even moving D-Wade to be talking about him-----all the way over in China while he was competing for the Gold-Medal! So wise up. And my question to you was ---and still is!--- where did Riley say that Chalmers would no longer be the projected starting PG? After that marijuana ""POSSESSION"" incident??
Riley doesn't have to reward Chalmers with something he's ALREADY earned. Plus, he's already being punished, as he's forking over $20,000 of money he may not even have, if he hasn't signed yet...plus he's been sent home from a camp that gives priceless information to incoming players. So, regarding your deceit in this article; I assert that Riley didn't say anything of the sort, and you KNEW THAT but was just trying to beef your article up with unfounded assumptions and fantasies. Period.
Third correction: This is an incident of marijuana possession. This is not, I REPEAT, this is not a incident of Chalmers testing positive for marijuana consumption. That, my friend, would be violating a substance abuse policy.
So, please Sean, wise up------quick! Unless you have proof that Chalmers has tested positive for marijuana consumption, then you really need to check yourself. And edit your article to reveal the truth, while you're at it...fair?
Peace
OH YEY: and I stand by my claim that if these weren't Black players, you probably would have made sure TO NOT include so many assumptions-for-THE-worst in your article. If they were Caucasoids, I'm betting that you would've made sure, a player 1)no longer being a starter and 2)actually consuming the marijuana WERE INDEED FACTS----before you tried to twist them as such.
from 2 months ago
God Bless you.
2 months ago
God Bless You, as well, as you appear to have gotten cognizance of where you article is "suspect" in areas that I have pointed out. Thank You, for ceasing to post aimless opposition, like harlequin-writers such as Eddie & YungNigg or a few other charletons here.
Good Luck with your future works too.
from 2 months ago
Hey, yungCaucasoid!
Been a few days...
I'm very glad to see evidence that you can learn. I notice that you have stopped using the improper word "harlequinade" and are now using the correct version "harelequin" when referring to a person. Little things like that help to remove the impression that you have never been to school.
I see you still accuse others of being what you are (a racist), but at least the switch to "harlequin" shows that you can be educated about your ignorance. As such, the rest of us will keep trying with you.
2 months ago
Eddie,
awwww, wutzamatta wittle fella? Had to stop gulping from your douche flask, long enough, to come post your anger...upon reading, yet, another post of mines that accurately/efficiently summed up a Sports' scenario?
I bet it burns your pro-Racist heart up, to read me post proficiently re: the Chalmers/Arthur ordeal eh pal?
awwww, wittle guy, show all of the anger you need...okay? Vent! Release yourself! aaaah-hahahaha aaaah-hahahaha
Like I said, as long as I know I'm preventing you from winding up on those *Suicide Hot Lines* then I'm lovely with your remarks, at me.
So...Good Night wittle fella, and be careful climbing back into your basinet too!
2 months ago
Gaz,
let the stupidity in your mind, go away, and you'll remember what I told you-------weeks ago;
harlequin, is a clownly person
harlequinade, is something you clownly-write or clownly-present or show as clownly work which has folk ROFL...Big DUH??
Such as, you're a harlequin, who just posted a harlequinade that I responded to here...capeche??
hahahahahahahaha
2 months ago
Gaz,
OH YEY:
And, get it right too, lia...I mean *yungNigg* for, it has not been awhile...
who ya foolin?
2 months ago
YungCaucasoid;
You need a better dictionary (look up 'harlequinade' for the correct definition and you will find it has nothing to do with the general usage you seek to apply). Also I agree with 'Eddie' - you are a racist. Nothing in the article, as-written, indicates racism. You rail against the author for making assumptions, and perhaps there is merit in that argument, but then you proceed to make HUGE assumptions about motivation that you cannot possibly prove unless you personally know the author and have a history with him. How is it that you can condemn the author for assumptions, but turn around and make even worse ones?
Get over yourself and you might enjoy life more. I think the author had the right idea in asking God to bless you and then wash his hands of your foolishness.
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