Michael Beasley at Peace With Himself For First Time In His NBA Career

On Tuesday, Michael Beasley returned to face his former team, the Miami Heat. And from the moment he walked out of the tunnel for pregame warm-ups it was evident that he was at peace with where he was in life.

First, Beasley interacted with his former mentor and big brother figure Udonis Haslem. The two engaged in chatter, probably about one another’s family, etc. Clearly the two remain close even though Beasley is now in Minnesota. After all, Beasley did fly back down to attend Haslem’s mother's funeral.

Then there was the show of affection between Beasley and his former leader Dwyane Wade. The two could be spotted with Wade balling Beasley up on the floor as if to give a sign of things to come for the third year forward. Beasley and Wade also remain close as Wade has issued words of encouragement via his Twitter account and spending time with Beasley when he visited Miami before training camp began.

What was even more noticeable was the half hearted exchange from Beasley’s former coach, Erik Spoelstra. As Beasley approached him with a smile the size of the Mississippi River, Spoelstra could do nothing but muster up a half hearted grin. It’s rather odd that Spoelstra could have any ill will towards a player that never once criticized how he was handled while with the Heat. Beasley went as far to thank Spoelstra and the Heat organization for making him a better person as well as player. Who knows, maybe I’m just reading too much into the exchange.

Beasley Outplays LeBron

With all the pleasantries taken care of and Beasley being reassured that his departure wasn’t personal, it was time to play ball. Beasley was focused and appeared eager to put on his show, even though he stated prior to that it was just another game for him. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t disappoint his fans or his many haters.

With the Heat gaining the initial possession on the opening tip, the Timberwolves would get a quick turnover on a deflection of a Wade pass by Michael Beasley. Beasley and his Timberwolves teammates would score the first point of the game on a Kevin Love layup.

Next possession for the Heat, same results: a Heat turnover caused by Kevin Love and Michael Beasley making things uncomfortable for Chris Bosh in the post. Luke Ridnour would race down the court to jack-up a three point brick. Bosh outlets the missed attempt to Wade, who in turn passes to James, who then finds Carlos Arroyo for a corner three. Just like that Heat up 3-2 and ready to embarrass the overmatched Timberwolves. Or were they?

Not yet to take a attempt, Beasley yelled out, “Let’s play man.” As to tell his Timberwolves teammates that they needed to fight and not fear the Heat.

Beasley would come off a curl just right of the free throw line. He squared James up and drained a 17-footer that was nothing but net. First shot back in his former house a thing a beauty, making it in a one-on-one situation versus arguably the greatest player in the game today—priceless.

On another note Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel was at it again with his usual antics. He wrote in his post game report that Joel Anthony blocked Michael Beasley’s first attempt and that Beasley responded by draining a three pointer. It’s rather distasteful that a grown man in a position to report the facts has continuously been allowed to publish things that aren’t true. Says a lot about him and his employers.  

Anyway, let’s get back to Beasley and the rest of the Heat game.

On the next four possessions for the Timberwolves, Beasley would touch the ball three of the four times. And like his previous game (Memphis Grizzlies), it was clear that Minnesota was trying to establish him early. Unfortunately, he yielded similar results as the Memphis game, turning the ball over on two of his touches and missing a lay up on the other.

However, this wasn’t the Beasley that had been slandered by the Miami media and fan base. He no longer holds his head during a course of a game. The burden of playing under Dwyane Wade is no longer his to carry as he is now free to form his own legacy.

Instead of going into his self induced coma spells that had been a routine during his Heat days, Beasley would attack. He received a pass from Wayne Ellington at the top of the three point arch, squared LeBron James up and proceeded to give the king a cross over that would leave him in his rear view and Chris Bosh with no choice but foul him. With a few "oohs" and "aahs" from the crowd and an emphatic "Hell Yeah!" from me, Beasley quickly reminded his former employers and teammates just how talented he is.

Beasley Ignites the Game

Through the first six minutes of the game, the score stayed close and Beasley and his Timberwolves teammates were relatively competitive. However the game remained a bore for the most part.

With the score 20-14 Heat and Minnesota possession with 5:44 on the clock, Beasley would pull up to drain a three pointer over the outstretched hands of LeBron James, making him 2-of-3 for the game and giving him seven points to the zero of LeBron James.

James would turn the ball over on the next Heat possession. Corey Brewer of Minnesota would take an ill advised three pointer at the top of the key. LeBron James would lose sight of Michael Beasley who had read the missed attempt of his teammate.

With 5:19 on the clock and Michael Beasley soaring above Heat and Timberwolves teammate alike, Beasley would throw down a put back slam that is arguably his first big play as a Timberwolf. With the dunk, Beasley brought life to a very dead arena and placed the score at 20-19, Heat’s favor.

Beasley would leave the first quarter at the 2:58 mark. He was 2-for-4 with nine points total. However the most important point was the game’s score, 26-20.

Beasley had proven before that he could be the focal point of his own club and actually have them compete based mainly on his effort. But surely it meant a lot to do it versus the Miami Heat. I’m sure he felt great about James going scoreless with four assists while he was defending him.

Chris Bosh Strikes Again

With Beasley resting for the first three minutes of the second quarter, the Heat would push their lead to eight. Beasley would miss his next two attempts, one a baseline drive past James that resulted into a fade away and a lay-up. Beasley was bumped on the fade away by Bosh and the lay up was a cut to the rim that he just missed.

James Jones would nail his second three pointer to give the Heat a 12 point lead at the 8:25 mark of the quarter. The Timberwolves would call a team timeout.

They came back with an isolation play for Beasley against James Jones. Beasley blew by Jones and went up for a layup. He’d make good on his attempt but would be knocked off balance by Chris Bosh who made no play on the ball.

This is the second time Beasley has been knocked out of a game due to Chris Bosh trying to make a play where there is none. Back in January of this year, Beasley would hyper extend his knee while going for an ally-opp pass six minutes into the quarter.  

At this point one would think it’s safe to say that Beasley has had enough of Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat. Anyway, the Heat would go on to blow the Timberwolves out by more than 30 points.

Clearly Beasley made a difference.