By Paul Casey Gotham
And so it goes. The fine city of Cleveland removed the mural of their chosen one. Does this mean the entire town has entered a “witness” protection program? The city that recovered from the burning river turned to burning the jerseys of their former hero.
With the ruse complete, Pat Riley delivered Chris Bosh and LeBron James to South Beach. The players in this mystery did their best to make it look like their decision took time, but it is undeniable that this deal was done a long time ago.
Pieces in place, Riley quickly turned to the task of completing his roster. His first move after “the decision” was to trade the embattled Michael Beasley. This gave Riley the necessary cap room to fill out the lineup.
Cap room casualty – hardly what Beasley had in mind when taken as the second pick of the 2008 draft. After using his athleticism to dominate on the court during his one year in college, Beasley seemed destined for NBA stardom. As impractical as it may seem, Beasley should have been to Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh what Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell was to Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish.
Impractical because in 2010 a player of of Beasley’s potential dictates a big contract. It is that contract which seemed to offer so much opportunity two years ago, that has taken away Beasley’s opportunities for the foreseeable future.
Or did it?
Whether he realized it or not, Beasley had a two-year tryout with the Heat. He had two years to play with one of the best (by the way, I consider Wade to be THE best BASKETBALL player in the league. James and Kobe have superior athleticism, but we’ll leave that to another discussion) players in the league. Unfortunately, his off-the-court actions brought more attention to him than what he did on-the-court. Although not alone, it was not hard to imagine that Beasley was a source of frustration for Wade over the past two seasons. Wade recently lobbied for the Heat to re-sign Udonis Haslem. No such effort was made on Beasley’s part.
His numbers seem fine for a player just two years into the league: 14 points to go with just under six rebounds per game. But it is in those moments when Beasley must become part of a system where he most struggles. He often looks incapable of working within the structure of a team.
Beasley, like so many players of the last few years, seems imprisoned by his own athleticism. Watching Beasley at Kansas State, fans saw his ability to overpower weaker players. In the NBA, on a nightly basis he goes up against similar athleticism to his own. The result, most times, was an exercise in frustration.
Now, Beasley has been banished to Minnesota. If this were a Shakespeare play, Beasley might cry out: “Ha banishment! be merciful, say death.” Minnesota – the place where a kid from a Spain opted to not go. Beasley has no choice. Not at least if he wants to continue in the NBA. Beasley might drift into anonymity. Hopefully, his will serve as a cautionary tale to others that follow.
Here’s hoping he worked with a sound financial adviser. If he gets a second contract in the NBA, Beasley will more than likely have to accept a decrease in pay.
Two years ago, Beasley looked on his way to a long career. Two years later, he is the most recent example of the natural selection process.
“But it is in those moments when Beasley must become part of a system where he most struggles.” That is exactly what doomed him. I love Haslem because he will NEVER be a me-first player, and, undoubtedly, that’s why Wade wanted him over Beasley. Beasley can’t work with those guys because all he knows is what he did in high school and college: be the MAN. Haslem is the consummate role player (I heard he turned down $13 million more from another team to return. That is simply reassuring to know players like that are still out there in this day and age).
I heard Rambis will try some form of the triangle in Minnesota, which I don’t see Beasley getting accustomed. A big part of that offense’s effectiveness over the years has been big men who can pass the ball from high and low. Beasley’s can step out, yes, but I am struggling to find a time where he made a great read on a pass or a timely cut that created a better shot.
Beasley … that’s what you get for having way too many tatoo’s way too early in your career !! Hah!!
Thanks, Casey, for bringing this next point up. I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of ranking Wade over Kobe and Lebron as a “basketball player”, but I disagree with your assessment that his athleticism lags the other two. No Way!!! He’s just shorter than the other two, but his hops and explosiveness are right up there if not better than Kobe and Lebron.
You know what…you are friggin’ right. Wade is the best player in the NBA.
I disagree. Though Wade, Bryant, and James are very good players, I think Brian Scalibrine is the best player in the NBA.
Casey used to think it was Hedu Turkoglu.
Smitty, you remember that???? 🙂
I am glad you brought that up. If Courtney Lee makes a lay up at the buzzer and Dwight Howard makes a friggin’ free throw in the final seconds, the Magic go on to win that title and Turkoglu wins the MVP because he was the best player on the floor in that series. And you Wally, my friend, my brother would have eaten the first ever crow garbage plate known to mankind.
As soon as they let Turkoglu walk, I thought they will not go as far. And what happened this year? Of course it helped that the Magic tried to replace Turkoglu with Vince “Anti-Inertia” (he is a scientific marvel; he can stop motion) Carter.
Casey –
Ahhhh …. you took the bait again! I’m laughing my butt off down here. Tee-hee. 🙂
Smitty —
Does this remind you of that day in Casey’s basement when he was talking about Turkoglu being one of the top NBA players and we were rolling on the floor??? Tee-hee. 🙂
You obviously had more beer that night than I thought. Smitty was not even there! You were just dreaming about him.
Utah traded for Al Jefferson and I think got that Ohio State center in the deal. Great move for the Jazz in my opinion. Jefferson has played on some bad teams and didn’t get much time as a youngster in Boston. He’s been plagued by having to basically play center in Minnesota the past couple of years.
I guess that opens it up for Beasley to play alongside Kevin Love in Minnesota. I totally forgot about Love in Minne. Wonder how they’ll play together.
I am going to admit that when I first read Wally’s tattoo comment, I rolled my eyes (You know what. Having two daughters and teaching HS has made very adept at that skill). I was thinking: “That’s not the issue!”
But maybe Wally is on to something.
Maybe if Beasley took all the time he spent in the tattoo parlor and dedicated it to developing his game, we would not be having this conversation. Think of it. Bosh and Beasley are the same size. Maybe if Beasley had a game, the Heat would not need him, and none of these events would have happened.