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

[Tradetime]

So you want to blame his environment?  Sorry, but he was in a pretty solid locker room (Wade, O'Neal, Haslem).

Here's the problem: he's NOT going to grow up.  Make a trade for this clown, and give him more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and then watch what happens...

His problem is DRIVE, and I NEVER want a guy like that on my team.  Not everyone is a Robert Parish, and Beasley has already been diagnosed with issues.  I don't believe a winter home in Boston will suddenly make him fall in love with the game...

When I think of good character guys, Jermaine "Detroit Brawler" O'Neal and Udonis "I'm not getting enough minutes" Haslem don't exactly come to mind. 

The mentoring of guys who have been solid professionals throughout their careers like KG and Ray make me think this kid could be more than productive in Beantown.

[Andy Jick]

Pretend for one second that Tony Allen came out and said, "basketball is no fun for me anymore...it's just a job."  Would you want him back?  I wouldn't...

So I'm wondering why we would want to trade for a guy who said this...  Those aren't just words on a piece of paper - they are the gut level emotions of a "man" who gets paid handsomely to play a game...  If it's no fun emotionally, then why do we think he'll suddenly want to come and play hard for the Celtics?

[FallGuy]

Pretend for one second that Tony Allen came out and said, "basketball is no fun for me anymore...it's just a job."  Would you want him back?  I wouldn't...

So I'm wondering why we would want to trade for a guy who said this...  Those aren't just words on a piece of paper - they are the gut level emotions of a "man" who gets paid handsomely to play a game...  If it's no fun emotionally, then why do we think he'll suddenly want to come and play hard for the Celtics?

You know... he IS just a kid and it IS just one statement. Is he not allowed a few errant statements and the chance to mature like everyone else gets in life? A lot of players have behaved stupidly early in their careers (like Paul Pierce, as some have noted) and gone onto greater things later.

Beasley would be a value pickup - buying low on a guy who could soar very high. A very Ainge-like move.

[BballTim]

Pretend for one second that Tony Allen came out and said, "basketball is no fun for me anymore...it's just a job."  Would you want him back?  I wouldn't...

So I'm wondering why we would want to trade for a guy who said this...  Those aren't just words on a piece of paper - they are the gut level emotions of a "man" who gets paid handsomely to play a game...  If it's no fun emotionally, then why do we think he'll suddenly want to come and play hard for the Celtics?

  First of all, he's only 21, it would be different if TA said it. Secondly, his unhappiness could be related to his situation and not whether he likes to play ball or not. He might not like his coach, he might not like his role, he might not like his teammates. And nobody's talking about throwing a bunch of money at him. Bring him in for a year, he's already under contract. If he doesn't work out, don't pick up his option and he's a free agent. It's literally no risk.

[Andy Jick]

Funny how in professional sports we refer to a 21-year-old differently than if he were working in another vocation...

Last I checked 21-year-olds aren't "kids"...they're adults.  Athletes continue to get coddled and receive a free pass.  Why do we protect them when they make statements like this?

[BballTim]

Funny how in professional sports we refer to a 21-year-old differently than if he were working in another vocation...

Last I checked 21-year-olds aren't "kids"...they're adults.  Athletes continue to get coddled and receive a free pass.  Why do we protect them when they make statements like this?

  Do you have kids? I have a couple that are close to his age, and they are adults but they also do/say some pretty ridiculous things. Just like I probably did at that age. And the "fresh from college" workers we get do, on occasion, say things that you wouldn't expect to hear from someone that's been at the company for 5-10 years. Not to mention that younger nba players frequently do/say stupid things and then mature over time. And, again, look no further than Rondo, who many wanted to trade last summer and many more were opposed to giving him an extension because of his "attitude problem".

[FallGuy]

Funny how in professional sports we refer to a 21-year-old differently than if he were working in another vocation...

Last I checked 21-year-olds aren't "kids"...they're adults.  Athletes continue to get coddled and receive a free pass.  Why do we protect them when they make statements like this?

I would argue your contention that we coddle athletes. I think we expect a lot more maturity from them than we do your average college student on that front. They have far less freedom (and anonymity) to make the mistakes you and I did at that age. I'd hate to see my 21-year-old self on full display and under constant deconstruction.