Posted on Sun, Apr. 13, 2008

You know how Mario Chalmers would barely acknowledge that his shot -- The Shot -- was anything more than ho-hum. Never mind that it sent Kansas' national championship game against Memphis into overtime, during which the Jayhawks ran away and hid in winning their third title. Never mind that it was, as far as any can remember, the biggest shot in KU basketball history.

After the game, it was a chore to keep Chalmers awake as he (barely) answered questions about his amazing three-pointer.

Kids today.

But they grow into men and, with time and maturity, they develop an ability for introspection. At least, that's what we hope.

So, today, let's zoom ahead 50 years, to April 2058:

Chalmers is 71; he has lived most of his life. He has had his family and his career and there has been plenty of time to reflect about The Shot, which has been a frequent, sometimes constant, topic of conversation during his life.

There have been times, in fact, when he grew sick of answering the inevitable questions. He just laughs now, remembering his three seasons in the NBA when all anybody ever wanted to talk to him about was the three-pointer that sent the 2008 national championship game into overtime.

In every city, on every stop, that's what writers and broadcasters wanted him to discuss. He never really was much of NBA player, but he did play for four teams during his three seasons after being a late first-round pick following his junior season at Kansas.

Chalmers always regretted leaving KU with one year of eligibility remaining. He wondered what his senior season would have been like, coming on the heels of such a magnificent junior season. He never really got to bask in the glory of The Shot because he was so concerned about moving on to the next level.

Chalmers gets a slightly chagrined look on his face now when he considers his lost opportunities. He made a nice living in the NBA, but not enough that he didn't have to work when his playing career was over. He had to work many more years to support his wife and three children. But he always had his place in KU history; he always felt close to the school.

"I remember after that national championship game I was just kind of out of it," Chalmers said. "People asked me questions but it was all just a little bit surreal. I don't think I appreciated the moment at the time. I didn't articulate my feelings very well, I know that."

Chalmers stayed in touch with his Kansas coach, Bill Self, and a few of his teammates. He was particularly close to Sasha Kaun, of all people. They played for the Charlotte Bobcats during the 2010-11 season and, in that way, both were able to re-live their KU glory with someone who understood what it was like.

Nine points down. Two minutes to play. Given up for dead. Then the incredible rally that led to Chalmers' incredible shot.

"We knew we had to foul in that situation," Chalmers said. "Fortunately, Memphis missed free throws. I still don't remember much about that last play, except that I've been able to see it replayed so many times. I really reacted the only way I knew how. I got the basketball and I had to find a shot. There wasn't much time. I got to a place on the floor where I thought I could go up for my shot and I was still covered and I saw hands flying at me."

Yet Chalmers was calm, which was his M.O. as a player. He had those amazingly quick hands that allowed him to pick the pockets of opposing players. And those quick hands allowed him to get off his shots quickly, a much-appreciated skill that he says allowed him to make The Shot.

"The key was finding the space," he said. "I knew, if I could get to an opening, I could get off the shot fast. That wasn't going to be a problem."

Chalmers remembers the first set of eyes he caught after making The Shot. They were those of his father, Ronnie, who was a KU assistant at the time. Father and son re-lived the moment thousands of times over the years. It happened about 35 feet in front of Ronnie, who always said he knew his son was going to do something special.

They never named anything after Chalmers in Lawrence, but there has always been a display in KU's Athletics Hall of Fame, where video of The Shot has been replayed thousands upon thousands of times. And Chalmers' jersey No. 15 was unofficially retired in a ceremony honoring the KU team during the 2008-09 season.

Chalmers was still just a kid then and it all hadn't quite sunk in. He didn't quite understand all the fuss for doing something he had prepared his whole life to do. He just happened to be, he said, the player with the opportunity. And he was able to make the most of it.

"I was pretty naive in those days," Chalmers said. "I didn't understand the historical significance of things until much later. As time went on, it was easier for me to accept my place and to gain an appreciation of what that shot meant to so many people. I've been proud to be a part of Kansas basketball tradition."

KU won two championships before Chalmers arrived and there have been three more since he departed. But none were as dramatic as the 2008 title and none included even close to the drama of that victory.

Now, Chalmers is sitting on his porch while two of his grandchildren play basketball in the driveway. They are aware of their grandfather's notoriety, and they often re-create his famous shot. Sometimes they make it, sometimes they don't.

"I happened to make mine on that day," Chalmers said. "I know how different things would be if I hadn't. I know nobody would have wanted to talk to me for all of those years."

Sometimes, the talking got old. But, as Chalmers discovered, he was lucky enough to be able to recount one heck of a story.

Eagle sports columnist Bob Lutz co-hosts "Sports Daily" from 9-11 a.m. weekdays on KFH, 1240-AM and 98.7-FM. Reach him at 316-268-6597 or blutz@wichitaeagle.com.