Out Of NBA For 4 Years, Former No. 2 Draft Pick Wants Back In
Calling the new-style NBA "a rodeo", and now four years out of the game, former No. 2 overall Draft Pick and 11-year veteran Michael Beasley says he could light it up in today's game.
If you pay attention to how I play, that’s how the NBA plays today. I stay in shape and play everyday. If I get the call, I can definitely make an impact. The NBA is on some sh*t. Donovan [Mitchell] scored 71, Luka [Doncic] 50, LeBron [James] still scoring 40. The game is wide open. When I was playing, the game was about defense. It is about holding teams to 75, 80, 90 points. Now it’s like a rodeo.
Beasley told Cory Nelson of Sports Illustrated, "One of my sayings growing up (was) 'My offense is my defense'. My defense is a better offense. That’s the direction the NBA is going right now. At the end of the day, you can’t beat me if you can’t score."
The now-34-year-old last played in the NBA in 2018-19 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 Draft by the Miami Heat, but he never quite lived up the lofty expectations of that high draft slot.
His pinnacle was with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010-11 when he averaged 19.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. The 6'9" forward averaged 12.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in his 11-year NBA career, while shooting 35% from three.
Beasley had signed a big 7-figure deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association last summer, but left the team in November. No specific reason was given. It sounds like he wants one more crack at the Association.
Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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