[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

October 04, 2009
Beas joins the threes; will it be with ease?

Posted by Ira Winderman on October 4, 2009 05:54 PM

It makes sense because it makes the most sense.

No, Michael Beasley is not a prototypic small forward. And if Udonis Haslem wasn’t entrenched at power forward, the Beasley experiment likely never would have been necessary.

But starting Beasley at small forward is the right move for this team. At least for now.

That’s now as in Monday’s exhibition opener in Detroit. Better to see what the 2008 first-round pick can accomplish at small forward during the preseason than when the games count.

The first two tests shouldn’t overwhelm, with Tayshaun Prince tonight and Orlando’s Rashard Lewis on Wednesday the type of covers Beasley could have been matched up against at power forward.

The real tests will come against small forwards who are closer to shooting guards, the Paul Pierce and Andre Iguodala types.

That’s when the Heat will see if Beasley can avoid the two quick fouls that would render the experiment moot.

And yet, it also is a somewhat forward-thinking approach.

If the Heat’s 2010 free-agent targets truly are the likes of Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire, then Beasley might have the most long-term value at small forward.

The other part of the equation is whether there is a better choice at small forward on the roster. James Jones’ game is better suited to sixth-man duty. Yakhouba Diawara is a defensive-stopper. Dorell Wright is hurt again. And Quentin Richardson looks awfully smallish in camp.

The question now is what to do at power forward if Beasley is going to get 24 or so of his minutes at small forward. There simply isn’t much depth at the four on this roster. Suddenly, the door could be open for Shavlik Randolph.

And so, the experiment begins.

Michael Beasley, the lottery pick drafted to be a beast in the paint instead will take his game to the perimeter.

[llperez]

I would rather see him at pf. At sf, I just don’t think he has the quickness to defend a lot of sf’s. Plus while his ball handling and shooting are great for a pf, they are sub par for the sf position.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

until he developes his strength and post moves he should play sf… he has a decent shot from anywhere and hes a little undersized to be a pf..

[llperez]

I think Beasley is a tweener and has weakness at either forward spot. I’m not comparing how their careers went, but as for skills, Beasley reminds me a lot of Ed O’Bannon from UCLA. Ed was a 6-9 pf in college who could face up and shoot the 3 and blow by people with his athleticism. He was the player of the year his senior year and had 31 pts and like 17 reb’s in the title game, but he struggled in the league because he was a tweener. His jumper, athleticism, ball handling and overall skills didn’t look nearly as impressive in the nba against sf’s. Beasley has already done more then Ed did, but I see a lot of similarities in their skills and what will probably hold Beas back from ever being an all-star.

[JNixonParticipant]

I agree. I’m a K-State fan, but Beasley is a tweener in the worst way. Not a combo forward. And it will hinder him. He’s too short and he doesn’t have the ability to overpower like he did in college at the PF spot, and he’s not quick enough or saavy enough to defend NBA SF’s and his perimeter skills (handles, athleticism and shooting) while good for a PF aren’t at a really high level for a SF. He has instincts and he will find the way to score, but not more than 16 or 17 ppg until he figures out his position and works to developing his skills and/or gets bigger to identify a true position.

[Michael.S.Participant]

IN OUR DRAFT HOW DO WE ENTER THE DRAFT ROOM???????????

[nepaliman_7Participant]

just go to the league office at the draft time, there will be a link. you wont be able to do it earlier than the exact time. you can still enter if you come late

[llperez]

mikenike, r u refering to gatorheels league?

[Michael.S.Participant]

k guys thanks, i was going crazy and it starts tomorrow : )
: (
which one?

[marcusfizer21Participant]

The thing about tweeners is that they are usually in for trouble… Mike Beasley hasn’t had the impact that many people expected from him… AKA The Durant, Carmelo-like rookie year… He underachieved and that’s because he was having a hard time adjusting to a “Get-The-Ball-To-Dwyane-Wade-and-stay-the-hell-out-of-the-way” system… I think he’ll have his fair share of struggles and this would be a test for him if he is versatile enough to play both 3 and 4 positions…

[SlimParticipant]

Everyone thought Beasley was 6’10
coming out of college 🙁

[sheltwon3Participant]

I have seen Mike Beasley move and on offense he will be good, defense may be a little behind but Carmelo just started playing good D so I don’t see how Beasley will be hurt by this. Carmelo is a better shooter though but Beasley seems to be a more natuaral scorer.

[quincey hodges]

well beasley didnt have the impact because he didnt get the consistant time to. just about every rookie has been pretty bad at defense( rose was very bad) but there coach threw them in there anyway so they could sink or swim. miami on the other hand did not yet beasley still put up impressive numbers.. if he was given the time like other rookies he would have easily put up better numbers. shltown youre right about what you said and carmelo is a better shooter right now. beasley has the ability to match him shooting wise eventually but prob not this year. im tired of peopel saying tweeners liek its bad thing. if you can get the job done then it doesnt matter. the leauge is full of tweeners who get the job down who dont have nearly the ability beasley has. i think he will be alright since he does have some experience playing the sf back in the day although against lesser competition. i mean we arent talking about a average pf who has zero handles or jumper or very slow foot speed to build upon

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