5 Random Role Players LeBron James improved feat. Mario Chalmers

LeBron James will be playing in his 22nd year in the WNBA next season. Over two decades of basketball, he has had hundreds of teammates. A handful of players who wore the same uniform as James were All-Stars, but he also played with less heralded ones. “King James” is one of the best playmakers and leaders in basketball history, helping others improve their games as part of his supporting cast.

James has had incredible success since he jumped out of high school in 2003 to join the pro ranks. He was considered a generational talent who only exceeded expectations. As great as he has been, he also had to rely on teammates to achieve team success.

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Players who benefited from playing with LeBron James

#5 Sasha Pavlovic

Aleksandar “Sasha” Pavlovic was in the same draft class as LeBron James but was picked by the Utah Jazz. They became teammates in their second season in the NBA after the Charlotte Hornets, who picked him in the expansion draft, sent him to Cleveland.

Playing alongside James and learning from the hometown favorite, helped improve Pavlovic’s game. He was considered for the Sixth Man of the Year award during the 2006-07 season. The Cavaliers eventually inserted him into the starting lineup the following season.

In the Cavaliers’ run to the 2007 NBA Finals, Sasha Pavlovic started in every playoff game. The Serbian, however, left “The Land” in the summer of 2009 to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate the same success he had while playing with LeBron James.

#4 Norris Cole

Norris Cole arrived in Miami in LeBron James’ second season with the “Heatles.” Cole, a first-round pick by the Chicago Bulls, landed in South Beach following a trade. He became part of perhaps the most scrutinized team in NBA history after the Heat lost the 2011 finals to the Dallas Mavericks.

In three-and-a-half seasons with the Heat, he helped the team to back-to-back championships as Miami’s primary backup guard. Cole usually came in to substitute Mario Chalmers, “King James” or Dwyane Wade. He didn’t have a glamorous role but he did his job with energy and grit that he became one of the fan favorites.

From Miami, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans where he continued to shine. Injuries limited him to 13 games during the 2016-17 season as part of the OKC Thunder. He left the NBA to play in Israel after a one-year stint in Oklahoma.

#3 Matthew Dellavedova

Matthew Dellavedova was with the Cavaliers when the “Prodigal Son” returned to Cleveland. The Australian was already a hard-nosed player who epitomized team play. With LeBron James leading the Cavs’ his often unsung role gained more recognition.

Cavaliers fans will not forget his performances in the 2015 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. He took on the unenviable job of guarding Steph Curry and helped slow down the “Baby-Faced Assassin.”Cleveland lost but Dellavedova became somewhat of a hero.

Matthew Dellavedova would often credit LeBron James for his uptick in performances. The Australian noted how he and his teammates were confident in facing challenges because of the four-time MVP. Dellavedova would eventually help the team win its first and so far only championship in 2016.

#2 Mario Chalmers

LeBron James and Mario Chalmers will forever be entwined in Miami Heat history. Chalmers wore No. 6 since arriving from Minnesota as a rookie in 2008. When James infamously took his talent to South Beach, Chalmers gave up the number to accommodate the forever Cavaliers superstar.

James’ arrival did not just force Chalmers to change jersey numbers. He also had to come off the bench and adapt to playing with two superstars. The former Kansas guard started in 28 of 70 games in his first year as James’ teammate. Over the next three seasons after that, he would be a staple in Erik Spoelstra’s starting five.

From a second-round pick, Mario Chalmers became a constant presence in a lineup featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He remained in Miami after James returned to Cleveland but was traded to Memphis the following season.

An Achilles injury forced him to sit out for one year before returning to play for the Grizzlies in the 2017-18 season. He played for a few more seasons overseas before calling it a career.

#1 Alex Caruso

Alex Caruso is perhaps the player who likely improved the most from playing with LeBron James. Caruso was an undrafted rookie in 2016 and was a two-way player until he carved a role with the LA Lakers during the 2019-20 season.

After playing just 62 games in his first two seasons, the “Carushow” suited up in 64 in his third year in the NBA. He helped the Lakers win the 2020 championship inside “The Bubble” in Florida.

In JJ Redick’s interview, Alex Caruso acknowledged how playing with LeBron James and Rajon Rondo helped him improve his game. He considers them two of the smartest people in basketball that he has come across with.

The Lakers, though, chose Talen Horton-Tucker, forcing him to go to Chicago. In his first game back in LA, James ensured the fans knew what Caruso meant to that championship team.

Over the past two seasons, Alex Caruso has made it to the All-NBA Defensive team. The Lakers will see him more starting next season as he just joined the OKC Thunder.