Dwyane Wade Bolting Out OF Miami And Michael Beasley Is Why

Today's brand of FAN isn't like those of past. For the most part, our opinions of players are fueled by thoughts that are formed by others (MEDIA). Basically, today's generation of fan is lazy and fueled by ignorance and arrogance. If you don't share their passion or belief in something, you are automatically deemed an idiot or worse.

It seems, no one wants to respect or hear the opinion of a fellow peer. They are only interested in getting their own opinion across. They either don't care to see the logic in another person's point of view or their just too ignorant to understand. It truly isn't fun to debate or even be a fan anymore. I mean what's the point of being a fan if you can't have logical debates on what is and what isn't.

Fans use to take pride in knowing each and every player throughout the league. They understood that basketball was about the whole of it's sums and not just pieces here and there. Greatness wasn't determined by how many points you scored or how many titles you won. It was about how you measured up against your peers and how they viewed you.

A guy could be considered great just by dominating one aspect of basketball... ie assists, rebounding, steals, blocks and etc. It wasn't about how well your team did always... it was about how well you played and did you display an effort that was worthy of your craft.

Sure they talked about who was better, but it was in a context that took into account each and every aspect of a players situation. Whether it been teammates, position, tenure in the league, influence of coaching, race and etc. You knew that when a opinion was given, it was well thought out.

That isn't the case today. You score 17+ and folks are ready to call you an ALL-STAR. You can be considered a "Great Player" at the PF position averaging less than 8 rebounds in well over 35 minutes per game. You get called the greatest ever, even when you've lost more than you've won.

It's basically an era of biased opinions. Everyone is right and no one is wrong. It amazes me every day just how many people speak about how bad a player is but haven't watched him more than 20+ games. They look at stat sheets and turn on ESPN or NBA network and that's all they know. It's disgusting.

Anyway, this blog will talk about NBA power forwards and how we perceive them. It will point out their flaws and strengths... I'm honestly doing this out of what is being stated about Michael Beasley. Everyone has a opinion but everyone hasn't taken the time to look at each and every aspect of his game. To me, that isn't fair to the player or the game. It's basically poor gamesmanship... hope this wakes you up.

If I asked most fans to name the 30 starting NBA power forwards this season, most wouldn't even know. But the ones that did would probably make a list similar to the one below... of course there would be changes here and there .

I used a star system to show how they are perceived as far as worth and ability.

1. Garnett(5*)
2. Gasol
3. Bosh
4. Nowitzki
5. Boozer
6. Stoudamire

7. Jefferson(4*)
8. Randolph
9. Jamison
10. West
11. Smith
12. Aldridge

13. Martin(3*)
14. Lewis
15. Murphy
16. Scola
17. Green
18. Landry

19. McDyess(2*)
20. Harrington
21. Diaw
22. Blatche(this kid is in my top 10).
23. Brand
24. Villanueva

25. Gibson(1*)
26. Gooden
27. Beasley (this is how most view Beasley... he's top 12 in my opinion)
28. Jianlian
29. Ilyasova
30. Tolliver

Now remember when I told you that I was dedicating this thread to Michael Beasley. Just bare with me and enjoy the ride .

Of the 30 starting forwards. Only four have two or fewer seasons in the NBA (Beasley, Gibson, Ilyasova and Tolliver). Everyone else has +3 seasons under their belt.

Beasley played 29.9 mpg ... 22 power forwards players played more mpg(73 %)... 12 of them played 5+ more minutes per game than him (40%). Remember these percentages please. They are a key factor because production is directly tied to time on the floor. For example : Garnett averaged 14 ppg and 7 rpg in 30mpg... Michael Beasley averaged 15ppg and 6 rpg in 30mpg... seems to be a bit of a double standard running around .

Beasley had a FG% of 45.0% ... 22 power forwards had a higher percentage(73 %)... only 9 had a percentage of +5 advantage over him (30%).

Beasley averaged 14.8 ppg ... 15 power forwards averaged more per game(50 %)... only 9 averaged more than +3 more points than him (30%). Of these 9, all have 6+ years of experience . Yet some how he is viewed as a player that struggles in his second season.

Beasley averaged 6.4 rpg ... 19 power forwards averaged more per game(63 %)... only 7 averaged 3+ more per game (23%). As you can see, there were 12 players to play considerable more minutes but only seven could rebound at a higher rate... all of whom have been in the NBA +7 seasons. You had SIX current or former ALL STARS average less than 8 per game.

Beasley averaged 1.3 apg ... 16 power forwards averaged more per game(53 %)... only 7 averaged +1 (yeah, I said +1) more than him(23%). All of who are seasoned veterans of +7 seasons.

Beasley averaged 1.0 spg ... 8 power forwards averaged more per game(26 %)... only 1 averaged +0.4 (yeah, I said 0.4) more than him(.03%... not even a full percentage point). Yet no one gives this kid credit for being better than 74% of the league at something.

Beasley averaged 0.6 bpg ... 16 power forwards averaged more per game(53 %)... only 1 averaged +1 more blocks per game than him (.03%... not even a full percentage point). A perfect example of how to much credit is given to those that don't warrant it and how to little to those that do.

Now that the stats are out the way... lets address the perception of skills and talents.

1. Low post scoring ... One would think this would be a staple of the position. But it isn't. Only FIVE players have the skills and will to dominate the low block, night in and night out(17%: Garnett, Gasol, Amare, Randolph, Boozer and Jefferson). Others like Dirk, Aldridge, Landry, Scola, Gooden and Blatche are respectable options but they aren't anymore skilled than Beasley. Those are not enough to critize this kid for not going on the block more often.

2. Jump shooting ... The league is filled with PF that take a ton of jumpers. But only four power forwards have more dependable jumpers (13%)(Garnett, Nowitzki, Bosh and West). Others like Gasol, Boozer, Jamison, Aldridge, McDyess, Blatche and Scola have nice touch and do a good job at knocking down shots. However, they aren't as good as Beasley.

3. Deep Shooting ... The league has quite a few guys that extend their range beyond the arch. Only seven however do it better than Beasley(23%: Nowitzki, Jamison, Murphy, Lewis, Green, Harrington and Villanueva). Everyone accept Green has +7 years of experience.

4. Freethrow shooting ... I want bring up the numbers, just note that Beasley shot +80% on the season... that's better than Dwyane Wade.

5. Individual defense ... Of the 30 starters, only 10 are respected defenders(33%)(Garnett, Gasol, Boozer, Smith, Scola, Martin, Green, McDyess, Ilyasova and Gooden). Blatche, Gibson, Tolliver, Brand, Murphy, Bosh and Jefferson give a notable effort. The rest of the starters don't do much of anything that makes them standout. So clearly Beasley isn't alone in his struggles... yet he is alone in his tenure.

6. Help defense ... There are about 13 respected help defenders on the list(43%)(Garnett, Gasol, Boozer, Jefferson, Smith, Martin, Murphy, Scola, Green, Gooden, Brand, McDyess and llyasova). Gibson, Blatche, Tolliver, West, Ama're and Aldridge have their moments but it isn't any better than those of Beasley.

7. Ball Handling ... There isn't a PF with a better handle (dribbling and passing). Only Blatche, Harrington, Diaw, Jamison, Jianlian and Bosh merit comparison(20%)

8. Intangibles ... I want argue these facts because there is no way to place how well a guy does against his peers... it's simply bias opinion. I'll just say he's in his second season and that ALL of his peers struggled with most, if not all, of the aspects that he is labeled as struggling with. Some are seasoned veterans and still struggle in certain aspects.

So as you can see... most of the players you know aren't as good as you think from a overall stand point. Some of the guys you don't know, do things better than the ones you do. And as you can see, Beasley isn't as bad as you think. I hope this read makes you a better Fan!!! And I hope it broadens your view of the young man.