Taylor 'OK' with Taking Risks

[Klomp]

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_15621939

"We talked about what I would call taking some risks," Taylor said. "The idea is, you bring in these young guys, and some of them probably have the potential. We've just got to coach them better, or differently, or maybe give them a second chance. I think what we have to do as a team to get up there faster is take some risks."

That means getting more out of some players than other coaches could. For instance, 6-foot-10 forward Michael Beasley and 7-0 center Darko Milicic.

"Michael Beasley was drafted No. 2 overall, went down to Miami and hasn't performed to the level that they expected, for a lot of reasons," Taylor said. "The same thing with Darko. Darko was drafted No. 2 (by Detroit in 2003).

"I met with Darko last year, and I said, 'Darko, this may be the first time in your life that a coach has selected you instead of a general manager.' There's a huge difference when the general manager selects you but the coach doesn't select you."

Taylor told Milicic it was Rambis who encouraged Kahn to get Milicic from New York, that Rambis is a guy who will give Milicic a chance."

Later, Taylor said, Milicic agreed.

"Darko said this was the first time that he felt really wanted," Taylor said. "So there's no assurance that he's going to become (the answer). But he's a big kid, he's athletic, he's smart, and maybe it takes him time to get going.

"That's what I'm talking about in taking risks."

[St.Nick]

Beasley is 6'8.25" in shoes, as per his draft measurements. Not sure where they get the 6'10" figure from.

Its important to note, as part of his problem is not being big enough to be the PF, which would not be an issue if he was 6'10".

[Klomp]

Not sure where they get the 6'10" figure from.

Its Charley Walters. 'Nuff said.

[Klomp]

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/michael_beasley/

Read where it says "Height"

[Klomp]

Beasley is 6'8.25" in shoes, as per his draft measurements. Not sure where they get the 6'10" figure from.

Its important to note, as part of his problem is not being big enough to be the PF, which would not be an issue if he was 6'10".

But I thought a 5'11" guy was bigger than a 6'3" guy....?????

[St.Nick]

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/michael_beasley/

Read where it says "Height"

I'm surprised that you use nba.com as a source for measurements. Its pretty common knowledge that they inflate the heights of players regularly.

Here is a link: http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/

[Klomp]

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/michael_beasley/

Read where it says "Height"

I'm surprised that you use nba.com as a source for measurements. Its pretty common knowledge that they inflate the heights of players regularly.

Here is a link: http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/

Its not uncommon for a 19-20 year old to keep growing.

[St.Nick]

Beasley is 6'8.25" in shoes, as per his draft measurements. Not sure where they get the 6'10" figure from.

Its important to note, as part of his problem is not being big enough to be the PF, which would not be an issue if he was 6'10".

But I thought a 5'11" guy was bigger than a 6'3" guy....?????

But Beasley doesn't play "big" and he's not "big." He got double digit rebounds in 11 games last year out of 78. Three of those games were blowouts and two were against the Nets. The team was better at rebounding with him off the floor. He's simply not an effective PF, or at least wasn't in Miami.

[funkatron101]

Beasley doesn't look 6'10" to me. I'd like to see him next to Love and Brewer.

[St.Nick]

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/michael_beasley/

Read where it says "Height"

I'm surprised that you use nba.com as a source for measurements. Its pretty common knowledge that they inflate the heights of players regularly.

Here is a link: http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/

Its not uncommon for a 19-20 year old to keep growing.

Do you have a report of him growing nearly two inches in two seasons?

[EddyCool]

I love hearing talk like this from Glen. While I expect that we're bound to hear, "LOLosaurus! KAAAHHHNNN!1! needs the coach do his job," or whatever, we have two players on our roster on young legs who have built reputations around their attitudes off the court and their inability to live up to the expectations of their draft selection.

Beasley I'm very excited about, as I don't give a rip about the pot and expect the depression/rehab had as much to do with the frequent character questions and criticism levied on him on account of the pot and his love for Sponge Bob, etc. I'm not saying I think everything's unfounded and unfair, but even when shrink put up his list of issues Beasley has had, I didn't see anything that I truly thought was troubling or abnormal.

Darko, on the other hand, has had a lot of time to show that he's worth even a lottery pick from any draft, and hasn't displayed it. The only reason people mention the 4 year, $20 million as a lousy contract is because of Darko's reputation - it's not event he worst big man contract of the offseason, but nobody cares about Amir Johnson close to the amount they do about Darko. That being the case, Rambis wants him and it's been clear that Rambis wanted him since we traded for him. I believe that should to take some of the pressure off of and put some confidence (not just in himself, but in the organization (which seems to have been a big part of his troubles)) into Darko.

These guys were both picked second overall by GMs who have been considered masters (Dumars and Riley) by their fanbases. We're in a low-risk opportunity - we have done nothing but stink more and more. If both of these guys lost their minds and kill each other, we've got a starting SF and PF in there still, and we need a center (like always). If one or both of them work out to what the organization think could be their potential, we could have something rolling.

[funkatron101]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/conte ... 3heat.html

They had him "listed" as 6'10" in his rookie year. Haslem is 6'8". Beasley looks maybe a 1/2 inch taller?

[St.Nick]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2008/06/03/0603heat.html

They had him "listed" as 6'10" in his rookie year. Haslem is 6'8". Beasley looks maybe a 1/2 inch taller?

I think that story you linked entitled, "Michael Beasley is not 6'10" pretty much seals it.

Haslem measured at 6' 7.75" as a rookie. So if he is half an inch shorter than Beasley then the measurements given by draft express are accurate.

[St.Nick]

BTW, I think Darko is going to turn out to be a solid player in Minnesota and has a greater chance at contributing to a team's success than Beasley does.

As far as physical talent goes, Beas is probably top 10% in the NBA, though. He's just too much of a tweener and too much of a kook (so far in his career).

Not a bad risk to take, but hardly a move to bank on or get overly excited about, I'd say.

[Worm Guts]

Judging height off of pictures doesn't work very well. I'd just go off of the DX database.

[shrink]

I'm surprised that you use nba.com as a source for measurements. Its pretty common knowledge that they inflate the heights of players regularly.

Here is a link: http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/

Its not uncommon for a 19-20 year old to keep growing.

Do you have a report of him growing nearly two inches in two seasons?

My god. Do you have evidence that he doesn't? You just have to argue everything, don't you?

He measured 6 8.5 in June 2008 .. true.

19 year olds can grow ... true. (Or do you want to argue that too?)

nba.com has him listed at 6' 10" ... true.

Why must you act so childishly? If you want to have a disagreement about substantive issues .. that's fine. I don't agree with all of Kahn's moves either. But argueing about this because of a measurement on a 19 year old two years ago?


Stop diverting interesting threads for your own amusement. Did the OP post this to talk about Beasley's height, or is this your trainwreck right from the start? This thread and the trade thread deserved better discussion than another "St. Nick Show"

[St.Nick]

I'm happy that you find my posts to be worthy of being called a "show." That's sweet of you.

I was just pointing out that the guy is not 6'10", which I think is a cogent point based on the fact that his issues come from being a tweener. Trying to stop bad information from spreading.

The back and forth was started by the other guy.

[shrink]

I'm happy that you find my posts to be worthy of being called a "show." That's sweet of you. :)

I was just pointing out that the guy is not 6'10", which I think is a cogent point based on the fact that his issues come from being a tweener. Trying to stop bad information from spreading.

The back and forth was started by the other guy.

Excuse me? The back-and-forth was from the other guy? Post #2 on this thread ABOUT TAYLOR was from you. There is no "back-and-forth" if you stay on topic.

Moreover, you have no proof that Beasley isn't 6' 10" now, but you deem yourself our fact-checker? Thanks for the contribution, Mr. "I-wouldn't-trade-Anthony-Randolph-for-Durant" but I think I'll look to other sources for credibility.

[St.Nick]

Not sure what you are talking about, but it doesn't seem to be lending anything productive to the thread.

[Devilzsidewalk]

can you guys believe how long and athletic our team is gonna be in 2011:

Rubio 6'6"
Wesley Johnson 6'9"
Beasley 6'10"
Love 6'11"
Darko 7'2"



good luck trying to score on that lineup!