Michael Beasley to Grizzlies: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction
Although most would probably consider Michael Beasley a bust after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2008 NBA draft, the polarizing forward will have another opportunity to realize his immense potential after signing a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported the news of Beasley's new deal:
Wojnarowski added:
"Free-agent forward Michael Beasley has agreed to join the Memphis Grizzlies in training camp on a non-guaranteed contract, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Beasley spent several days working out for the Grizzlies this week and chose that offer because of an opportunity to make the roster as a backup power forward.
Beasley spent several weeks working out for teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.
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Beasley has never developed into the superstar most expected him to be after a dominant freshman season at Kansas State, but he has certainly flashed that potential over the course of his six-year NBA career. With that in mind, at just 25 years old, perhaps there is still time for him to put everything together.
Following Beasley's flameout in two seasons with the Miami Heat, he experienced varying degrees of success with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns, peaking during a 2010-11 season with the Wolves in which he averaged over 19 points per game. Unfortunately, he was never able to capitalize on the momentum he gained in that campaign.
After three years away from South Beach, Beasley returned this past season as a bench player to lend support to superstars such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Beasley actually turned out to be quite effective in that role, as he put up eight points and three rebounds per game while averaging about 15 minutes per contest.
Despite his offensive efficiency in the regular season, he was a forgotten man during the playoffs. Beasley played in just four games, logged a total of 23 minutes during Miami's run to a fourth consecutive NBA Finals appearance and was essentially a non-factor.
Although it is unlikely that using Beasley more in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs would have significantly altered Miami's losing fate, Suns announcer Eddie Johnson scolded the Heat and head coach Erik Spoelstra for parking Beasley on the bench:
Beasley dressed for just one Finals game and ended up playing 17 minutes in Game 5. He scored nine points during desperation time as Miami frantically tried to mount a comeback, but it was simply too little, too late.
It can be argued that Beasley benefited from the Spurs lessening the defensive pressure, but Andrew Perloff of Sports Illustrated accurately pointed out that he provided a spark in the latter stages of the series:
Despite the Heat's questionable usage of Beasley down the stretch, he seemed to genuinely enjoy his second stint in Miami. Beasley's dedication and will to win have always been points of contention, but he clearly bought into a team-first concept with the Heat.
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Beasley was thrilled to be part of a deep playoff run for the first time in his NBA career:
"Honestly, this season has flown by faster than any other I've been in. I don't know why. I don't know how. I guess it really does fly when you're having fun. ... A chance to win a ring is definitely satisfying. It's fun for a while trying to do it yourself, but losing basketball, it gets old. I definitely would opt for the extended season.
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Immaturity has long been the biggest knock against Beasley, but maybe he is finally maturing from a character perspective. He didn't cause any problems with the Heat this past season, so it is certainly possible that he is ready to make a big leap in his NBA career.
Nobody has ever questioned Beasley's talent. If talent was all that mattered, he could very well be a multi-time All-Star by this point. He hasn't quite found a happy medium yet in his career, but it could be on the horizon.
Simply put, Beasley is the type of player teams continually gamble on because the reward could be immense even if the risk is high as well. In this case, though, the risk is negligible since the investment is far from bank-breaking.
All Beasley needs is one more opportunity to show he can be a productive player. He figures to get it this season, but it is up to him to take the ball and run with it.
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