Premature Infatuation: Why Proclaiming Beasley a Franchise Player Is a Mistake

Everyone gets lucky every once is a while. David Kahn and the Minnesota Timberwolves are evidence. 

In the fallout of the historic Miami Heat summer of 2010, former second overall draft pick Michael Beasley was traded to Minnesota for two second-round picks and cash to make way for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. 

The jury was still out on what Beasley really was after two unremarkable and controversial seasons in the Sunshine State.  The talented 6'8" forward was immediately welcomed by the Timberwolves franchise and inserted into the starting lineup.

The result was a career-year by the third-year pro.  Beasley produced a career-high 19.2 PPG and added 5.6 RPG for the Timberwolves.  He scored a career -high 42 points against Sacramento and went on a scoring binge, totaling more than 25 points in six straight contests in November. 

He racked up eight 30-point games in 2011 and, at times, looked absolutely unguardable.  By the end of the season many fans felt the it was Beasley, and not all-star Kevin Love, that would be the face of the franchise.

The question is, "Can Michael Beasley be a franchise player?"

One thing is clear, the man is gifted.  Possessing a feathery touch that extends to three-point territory, Beasley is a deadly jump shooter.  He has the athleticism to get to the rim and has vastly improve his ball handling since entering the NBA. 

He has a NBA body coming out of Kansas st., complete with long arms, big hand and powerful legs.  His type of talent would lead you to believe he has stardom written all over him.

He has serious warts, however.

Beasley's peripheral numbers were unimpressive.  His shooting percentage was a pedestrian 45 percent overall.  Beasley quickly settles for 18- to 20-foot jump shots, easily the worst shot in NBA basketball. 

He has seemed reluctant to attack the basket regularly, evident but his curiously low four free-throw attempts per game.  His 2.2 APG were respectable for a scorer, but his 2.7 turnovers per contest put him in the red as far as assist to turnover rate goes. 

A relentless rebounder in college, Beasley has regressed on his board work, pulling nearly a rebound less per game despite playing more minutes than any other point in his career.  Some may point to his teammate Love gobbling up a league leading 15.2 RPG as the reason.   

However, with the Timberwolves near the bottom of the NBA in shooting percentage, there were an abundance of rebounding opportunities missed by Beasley.  He contributed four or less rebounds 27 times last season.

Beasley was also wildly inconsistent in 2011.  He had nearly as many 30 or more point nights (eight) as he had single-digit efforts (seven).  His effort on defense is also inconsistent.  At times, he seemed  to have the killer instinct that all great scorers have.  Other times, he seemed he was going through the motions. 

Lastly, there is the elephant in the corner all T-Wolves fans, and even their GM, seem to want to ignore.  Beasley has had three separate incidents with drugs in his short career. 

He was fined $50,000 in a drug-related incident during his rookie year in Miami.  He checked himself into a rehabilitation center in 2009 in reaction of pictures he posted online showing drug paraphernalia in the background. 

He also received counseling for stress-related issues in rehab.  This breakout season seemed to serve as evidence that his issues were behind him, but he was cited for marijuana possession and could be force to serve a suspension when the NBA resumes. 

Is this the cavalier personality you trust leading your franchise?

Michael Beasley has all the physical gifts to be a great player.  He showed flashes of brilliance this past season and many feel he could be the savior of the franchise.  He's only 22 years old and can possibly become all the team is hoping for. 

However, the NBA is littered with players with very similar stories.  Remember Vin Baker. Remember Lamar Odom. Wolves fans, remember J.R. Rider. 

The stories all read the same and none ever lived up to the moniker of "franchise player."  His talent is seductive, but maybe Minnesota should think hard on deciding "B-Easy's" future with the club.