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Michael Beasley read it a couple weeks ago. He can't remember where he saw it, but the message of the article stuck with him.

"It said I was one-dimensional," the Timberwolves forward said Friday. "It kind of made me upset. I just kind of want to show people that I can do more than just score the basketball."

Maybe it was that story he read. Maybe it is the list of things Wolves coach Kurt Rambis and his staff work on with Beasley each day. Maybe it's just the natural progression of a naturally talented player getting the opportunity, over and over again, at important times in basketball games.

But Beasley is doing more.

Exhibit A: The end of the Wolves game in Cleveland on Sunday, with the Wolves down a point and the ball in Beasley's hands. Earlier this month, the lefthanded Beasley likely would have tried to drive to his left to get off a shot. He might have made it, too, or he might have had the ball swatted away by a team expecting it. Against the Cavaliers, Beasley drove right and scored on a layup.

Or take Monday's game against New Orleans. Beasley got his points, 30 of them, but he also had a career-high seven assists on a night when several players, including rookie Wes Johnson, were hot.

It was just another sign Beasley is trying to round out his game. He is averaging 22.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

"Honestly I'm just playing basketball," he said. "I'm not trying to force it; it's chess, not checkers. ... Ultimately I just want to help my team win, whether it means scoring a million points, grabbing a million rebounds or blocking a million shots."

Dewey wrote:so.... we're talking one-dimensional in terms of offensive fundamentals? I was under the impression the article would point out our one-dimensional team in terms of no defense, etc.

Now we have sports writers finding it's newsworthy to note Beas, a NBA basketball player/former #2 draft-pick, can make layups with either hand!!. But hang on!! He had a few assists that one game!! Seriously? What a joke ... why can't these writers rip on the lack of Beasleys accountability on the defensive side? Why can't he make some stops? Why does he collect reckless/unnecessary fouls?

I'm not a Beasley hater (he just happens to be the center of the article) ... I just hate these type of articles that pat people on the back, when on the flip-side, the player is part of the bigger problem in terms of wins and losses ... and never called out on it.

Dewey wrote:so.... we're talking one-dimensional in terms of offensive fundamentals? I was under the impression the article would point out our one-dimensional team in terms of no defense, etc.

Now we have sports writers finding it's newsworthy to note Beas, a NBA basketball player/former #2 draft-pick, can make layups with either hand!!. But hang on!! He had a few assists that one game!! Seriously? What a joke ... why can't these writers rip on the lack of Beasleys accountability on the defensive side? Why can't he make some stops? Why does he collect reckless/unnecessary fouls?

I'm not a Beasley hater (he just happens to be the center of the article) ... I just hate these type of articles that pat people on the back, when on the flip-side, the player is part of the bigger problem in terms of wins and losses ... and never called out on it.

Klomp wrote:

Dewey wrote:so.... we're talking one-dimensional in terms of offensive fundamentals? I was under the impression the article would point out our one-dimensional team in terms of no defense, etc.

Now we have sports writers finding it's newsworthy to note Beas, a NBA basketball player/former #2 draft-pick, can make layups with either hand!!. But hang on!! He had a few assists that one game!! Seriously? What a joke ... why can't these writers rip on the lack of Beasleys accountability on the defensive side? Why can't he make some stops? Why does he collect reckless/unnecessary fouls?

I'm not a Beasley hater (he just happens to be the center of the article) ... I just hate these type of articles that pat people on the back, when on the flip-side, the player is part of the bigger problem in terms of wins and losses ... and never called out on it.

Were you one of those guys in 05-06 blaming KG for the 33-49 record too?

Dewey wrote:so.... we're talking one-dimensional in terms of offensive fundamentals? I was under the impression the article would point out our one-dimensional team in terms of no defense, etc.

Now we have sports writers finding it's newsworthy to note Beas, a NBA basketball player/former #2 draft-pick, can make layups with either hand!!. But hang on!! He had a few assists that one game!! Seriously? What a joke ... why can't these writers rip on the lack of Beasleys accountability on the defensive side? Why can't he make some stops? Why does he collect reckless/unnecessary fouls?

I'm not a Beasley hater (he just happens to be the center of the article) ... I just hate these type of articles that pat people on the back, when on the flip-side, the player is part of the bigger problem in terms of wins and losses ... and never called out on it.

horaceworthy wrote:

Dewey wrote:so.... we're talking one-dimensional in terms of offensive fundamentals? I was under the impression the article would point out our one-dimensional team in terms of no defense, etc.

Now we have sports writers finding it's newsworthy to note Beas, a NBA basketball player/former #2 draft-pick, can make layups with either hand!!. But hang on!! He had a few assists that one game!! Seriously? What a joke ... why can't these writers rip on the lack of Beasleys accountability on the defensive side? Why can't he make some stops? Why does he collect reckless/unnecessary fouls?

I'm not a Beasley hater (he just happens to be the center of the article) ... I just hate these type of articles that pat people on the back, when on the flip-side, the player is part of the bigger problem in terms of wins and losses ... and never called out on it.

What a randomly salty response to an inconsequential article about Beasley's improved play (and it has played a much better all around game recently) of late. He's bad at some things, therefore it shouldn't be acknowledged when he improves at a couple of them unless he's still going to be ripped for his remaining faults? Just seems like an odd stance to take.

Also, it's not like Beasley's defense is never called out. For instance, Rambis called him out on it on the last episode of the B'Easy Show.

Klomp wrote:

"Honestly I'm just playing basketball," he said. "I'm not trying to force it; it's chess, not checkers. ... Ultimately I just want to help my team win, whether it means scoring a million points, grabbing a million rebounds or blocking a million shots."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/112731744.html

shrink wrote:One dimensional?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkxieS-6WuA&feature=&p=A6F9DDA372DDE20A&index=0&playnext=1[/youtube]

Dewey wrote:Don't disagree ... but as I said, there's no need to make an article that points out how an NBA player really can use both hands. If the local media is this desperate for a story, then at least paint the bigger picture that does the guy justice ... I'm pretty sure Beas is about impressed with this article as I was.


Randomly salty? ... fine with me. This article is unworthy of further conversation IMO.

mandurugo wrote:
Every NBA player can use both hands, it's just that not that many can use both hands against other NBA players.

shrink wrote:One dimensional?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkxieS-6WuA&feature=&p=A6F9DDA372DDE20A&index=0&playnext=1[/youtube]