Rook Check: Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur Impress While Beasley Flames Out in Debut

Rook Check takes a look at the progress of NBA Rookies throughout the season.

Mario Chalmers, Darrell Arthur, and (later) Michael Beasley attracted a lot of negative attention over the summer over what Watson accurately described as "shenanigans." A lot of people questioned their pro value based on maturity and whether they were mentally focused enough to play in the NBA.

Let's play the "One Night Overreaction" Game!

Okay, so we'll hold off on commissioning their busts for the Hall of Fame just yet, but for one night at least, it looked like the party goers were going to be having a different kind of party on the court. Witness:

Mario Chalmers was the only starter with a positive +/- for the Heat in their loss to the Knicks, and finished with 17 points on 54% shooting, seven rebounds (!) and eight assists with only one turnover. There was a lot of panic about the point guard situation down in South Beach, but based on what the kiddo showed in his first crack, it may end up being a managed position. So long, Chris Quinn era.

Darrell Arthur got on the floor for 27 minutes last night, and made each and every one of them count, racking up 11 points on 56% shooting with 15 rebounds (!) and two blocks. For a second round pick that everyone else had passed by, that's good work.

And then there's Michael Beasley. Well, kid, they can't all be Summer League games. Beasley's first game saw him in the starting role, logging 27 minutes. Unfortunately, he also shot 29% and logged only nine points with a measly four rebounds, no assists and three turnovers. Excellent Heat blog The Peninsula Is Mightier notes that Beasley spent too much time from beyond the arc, where he shot 20%.

There's obviously no reason to think the numbers will form a pattern based off of opening night, but if nothing else it's good to see two guys that have been described as "good kids" shake off a bad reputation, go out and produce when given the opportunity.