Michael Beasley Says NBA, Not NFL, Is No Fun League (available in a salary dump)

[Andy Jick]

During these 4 pages of posts, I guess even I got lost in why this thread originated.  So I went back and re-read post #1.  Here is the Michael Beasley quote that grabbed MY attention...

Regarding playing professional basketball Beasley said: "It’s a job. It’s not fun anymore."

THAT'S what scares me...

[BballTim]

Mock me all you want, but this guy has "run from me like the plague" written all over him.  He's got a mental problem and an attitude problem and a drive problem.

So yeah, I can't stand the guy.  He represents all that is wrong with professional athletes.

I don't mock people.

I correct them when they are wrong.

And you, sir, are wrong.

Coach Bo I love all your posts but this one man I dont know. I think Jick has a point man Beasley is a basket case. KG can't play shrink man. Danny doesn't have time to play shrink. Oh I GOT AN IDEA! Lets hire Coach Bo to be a shrink for Mike Beasley?

HE KNOWS HIM. For the love of God.

The internet is a lovely thing...

Coach Bo is a real coach. And the way he has conducted himself on this blog leads me to believe he wouldn't just make this up to support his point.

If he is fabricating an identity and a relationship, that's pretty sad, but I don't think he is.

  As someone who frequently disagrees with CoachBo, I'd also be inclined to believe him.

Just in case there were actually some need to continue this CoachBo Vouchfest '10, I'm in no way inclined not to believe him.

Whether or not Beasley is or will be a headcase remains debatable, and I wouldn't suggest that Andy Jick's points (or those of folks who have concurred with him) are necessarily without merit.  Just because someone knows someone doesn't make their view of him the only viable perspective, though it might be worth taking stock in what said individual has to say.

However, I think we can put the are-you-making-stuff-up-to-support-your-point part of this discussion to rest.

-sw

  Just for kicks, where's the motive? I mean, if I were going to claim to know an nba player, it sure wouldn't be Beasley. Who'd be impressed by that? You might as well claim to know Steve Blake or Chris Duhon. There's gotta be almost 200 players I'd claim to know ahead of Beasley.

[billysan]

During these 4 pages of posts, I guess even I got lost in why this thread originated.  So I went back and re-read post #1.  Here is the Michael Beasley quote that grabbed MY attention...

Regarding playing professional basketball Beasley said: "It’s a job. It’s not fun anymore."

THAT'S what scares me...

I guess for me, that statement is more about a guy who just doesnt want to deal with the business side of the NBA. He just wants to play the game and enjoy it like he always has....He just needs to grow up. Time for a reality check.


I think everything said in these last pages of discussion has some merit but again just for me, I think it all boils down to a young guy who is more than a little immature and needs a strong veteran mentor. Give him the leadership and he will grow, he already has the talent.


KG, Clifford Ray, Doc and Danny would likely do wonders for this guy.

[RockinRyA]

During these 4 pages of posts, I guess even I got lost in why this thread originated.  So I went back and re-read post #1.  Here is the Michael Beasley quote that grabbed MY attention...

Regarding playing professional basketball Beasley said: "It’s a job. It’s not fun anymore."

THAT'S what scares me...

these guys got into basketball not because they'll earn from them, but because they love it. he's 21 heck im 24 and id rather play games than go to my OJT.

he'd outgrow that perception, and learn how to mix both. being around people who's willing to guide you, and has been there would impact things and sharpen his learning curve.

[tenn_smoothie]

lets get both of these guys, problems aside, they could both be huge.

somehow, this idea reminds me of curtis rowe & sidney wicks combined with the illustrated man.

do these guys actually think those tatts look good ?

[Andy Jick]

During these 4 pages of posts, I guess even I got lost in why this thread originated.  So I went back and re-read post #1.  Here is the Michael Beasley quote that grabbed MY attention...

Regarding playing professional basketball Beasley said: "It’s a job. It’s not fun anymore."

THAT'S what scares me...

these guys got into basketball not because they'll earn from them, but because they love it. he's 21 heck im 24 and id rather play games than go to my OJT.

he'd outgrow that perception, and learn how to mix both. being around people who's willing to guide you, and has been there would impact things and sharpen his learning curve.

But friend, if you can't have fun playing the GAME of basketball then I'm of the opinion you'll NEVER be happy... 

The perception that Boston will be a mental ward for this guy will start to become ludicrous as Pierce, KG, etc. get OLD and find their bodies won't allow them to do things they once did.  Afterall, didn't this happen to 'Sheed this year (who coasted through the entire season)? 

I don't believe this franchise is full of the warm fuzzies that many want it to be, and nor do I believe we can "rehab" Beasley...  I've never seen a guy being clamored by so many people that should be the poster child of what a professional athlete should not become...  But I digress...

[Cman]

I say get him (Michael Beasley), if we can..if he can be had for next to nothing - why not?

I'm okay with the idea of Beasley, in principle.

However, the thing to consider:  would you be willing to trade for Beasley if it meant losing Ray Allen to Miami?  

Miami has whittled its payroll down, and if it trades Beasley will have enough to offer the max to Wade, the max to, say, Boozer, and a whole heck of a lot to Ray Allen (who they've reportedly had an interest in).

Increasing the probability that Miami cannot find a trade partner for Beasley makes it that much more likely that Ray stays in Boston (of course, there are no guarantees -- Miami could trade with someone else, and Ray could sign with someone else -- I am talking about probabilities).

[KungPoweChicken]

When you play basketball everyday, it isn't fun, and it does become a job. That's why these guys get paid for it. Just because you love the game, doesn't mean you're coming to practice and the games all happy and excited.

[moiso]

Beasley is so talented that he's worth a shot, but unfortunately competitiveness and drive don't really change whether someone is 20 years old or 50 years old.  Great players put all their effort into becoming great players since they were on their high school teams.

[billysan]

Beasley is so talented that he's worth a shot, but unfortunately competitiveness and drive don't really change whether someone is 20 years old or 50 years old.  Great players put all their effort into becoming great players since they were on their high school teams.

Good points but, good players have leadership and mentoring from someone along the way. Beasley hasnt been in a situation yet (IMO) where he has had any decent mentoring. The Heat arent exactly that type of organization and dont have that type of player on the roster with a similar background that he can relate to. We do in the people I mentioned earlier. This guy needs a strong vocal personality that he can respect who has been there before.

My point is, he is not a loser or headcase because Miami is making him available. Rather he is an expendable asset that needs work that they may be unable or unwilling to provide. They are desparate to put a superstar next to Wade or lose him. Wade ( much like our own Paul Pierce) is not going to put too much into mentoring. It isnt a knock, just isnt his thing. It isnt in his makeup like it is for KG or even Doc.


If Beasley can be had for a future pick and cash or a contract then we need to grab him. It would be foolish not to because there is very low risk. Now that we are pursuing Brad Miller, can you just imagine a second unit of Miller, Baby, Beasley, Tony Allen and our new PG?

[Jon]

Beasley is so talented that he's worth a shot, but unfortunately competitiveness and drive don't really change whether someone is 20 years old or 50 years old.  Great players put all their effort into becoming great players since they were on their high school teams.

Good points but, good players have leadership and mentoring from someone along the way. Beasley hasnt been in a situation yet (IMO) where he has had any decent mentoring. The Heat arent exactly that type of organization and dont have that type of player on the roster with a similar background that he can relate to. We do in the people I mentioned earlier. This guy needs a strong vocal personality that he can respect who has been there before.

My point is, he is not a loser or headcase because Miami is making him available. Rather he is an expendable asset that needs work that they may be unable or unwilling to provide. They are desparate to put a superstar next to Wade or lose him. Wade ( much like our own Paul Pierce) is not going to put too much into mentoring. It isnt a knock, just isnt his thing. It isnt in his makeup like it is for KG or even Doc.


If Beasley can be had for a future pick and cash or a contract then we need to grab him. It would be foolish not to because there is very low risk. Now that we are pursuing Brad Miller, can you just imagine a second unit of Miller, Baby, Beasley, Tony Allen and our new PG?

I also wonder just how bad things are with Beasley.  I'm assuming few on this board, if any, watch Miami games on a regular basis.  Yes, he smoked some weed, but there's lots of players who do that.  But what else makes him "non-competitive"?  Or is this just the national media making assumptions off of the weed thing? 

I mean at various times over the past 5 years, the national media began to look at Pierce as a problem child (after the Pacers series) or a career loser (despite his heroics in 2001-2002). 

Also, I'd say there are players who turned it around.  Lamar Odom is a pretty good example with a somewhat comparable skillset (perimeter oriented big man). 

I'm not a huge Beasley fan, but if we can have him cheap, I think he's a nice scorer off the bench now who could be a piece for the future. 

[Finkelskyhook]

I wonder how good Beasley could be if he spent half as much time honing his game as he does at the tattoo parlor?

During these 4 pages of posts, I guess even I got lost in why this thread originated.  So I went back and re-read post #1.  Here is the Michael Beasley quote that grabbed MY attention...

Regarding playing professional basketball Beasley said: "It’s a job. It’s not fun anymore."

THAT'S what scares me...

That's exactly the way he played in the playoffs.  Looked like he was going through the motions.

[snively]

Rondo/Bradley
Ray/TA
Pierce/Beasley
KG/Baby
Perk/Miller

Not a lot of pressure on Beasley to produce in that set-up.  I think he'd be very solid in that role.

[hardlyyardley]

He can still go back to college and get a degree....what a novel idea

[wdleehi]

When the games got bigger, he got smaller.




That's the part that sticks to me right now. 


If it is for Wallace, ok.


Anything of value next year, no.