Michael Beasley - strengths, weaknesses, potential

[BruceO]

Discuss what you've seen in him, what he likely will pan out to be. His strength and weaknesses

[revprodeji]

Maybe you should do this on the draft board?

[DaGoodz]

His defense use to be a big problem, but he has imporved on defense a lot recently.
I think his only major weakness is his assists. Even though he isn't a black hole, I would like to see more assists from somebody with his skill set.

[tsherkin]

Assists come from guys who are asked to do more than finish; he's surely not a point forward but that isn't actually a weakness, that's just something that isn't a big production center from him. He has to iso a lot, so is it a big surprise that he's not getting a lot of assists, especially when he's scoring at such a volume in so few minutes per game (relative to an NBA starter, that is)?

He just had his second 40-point night of the season, so he's definitely looking interesting. 4th in the nation in scoring, 1st in rebounding, shooting 42% from downtown, 55% overall, even 74% at the line... which isn't great but certainly isn't bad, especially at 8.2 FTA/g and especially since college FT% is almost always lower than NBA FT% after the rookie season. It's promising.

Beasley's an awesome prospect, especially since he's been shoring up his defense.

He seems technically proficient as a passer, so I assume if you put him in positions to make passes to teammates (especially in the context of an NBA team where he can defer to teammates much better than his college teammates), then his assist totals will rise a bit.

Carmelo was a 2.2 apg guy in 36.4 mpg at Syracuse as a freshman, which isn't SO much better than Beasley and he's a ~ 4 apg guy these days. It's all about situation and teammates, really. And your coach/offensive system. Beasley will never be Lebron or anything but he can and does pass, he's not Eddy Curry and that's sufficient.

[DaGoodz]

I hope so.
he definitely looks like he can average 20 and 10 in the NBA, but what will seperate him from other PF's is if he also avgs 3-4 assists

[tsherkin]

I hope so.
he definitely looks like he can average 20 and 10 in the NBA, but what will seperate him from other PF's is if he also avgs 3-4 assists

I'd say both his scoring and rebounding potential are considerably higher than that. I'd peg him for 2-4 apg if he gets into a situation where he gets a lot of pick-and-rolls and isn't just a finisher like Amare but I'd be comfortable with him as a 24/11/2 guy.

[revprodeji]

I have been very critical of Beasley on the wolves board. Not just for the off-the court issues. Which I will not discuss here, but other things.

1.) Desire for defense
2.) ability to score from the wing/high post
3.) ballhandling
4.) Is he a 4 or a 3, his numbers are Amare-like, but he looks no bigger than Ryan Gomes
5.) Many of his shots are contested inside.

Now,
1.) He has shown this lately, big improvements
2.) Besides France he was not showing this before, but he is showing a jumper that is very good from mid and deep and the ability to make a dribble or 2 for a better shot.
(Those 2 things are very big for me)
3.) He seems to be getting less stupid TO's, but this still needs work if he will play the 3 at the next level.
4.) I am interested with this.
5.) They are contested, but he makes them. He has soft hands and good counter ability.

He is a very good prospect, but the off the court issues are still a minor red flag for me. He is the clear #1 right now.

[DaGoodz]

I don't see Beasley succeeding as a 3.
He's a PF all the way, you would negate his rebounding ability if you play him as a SF. He was 6'9 with shoes last year, hopefully he is still growing. If he winds up being 6'10 or taller, he's unguardable in the NBA as PF IMO

[revprodeji]

Marion has no issue rebounding as a 3.

NBA position is more about who you guard. You will do what you do offensively regardless (unless you are the PG) Moving Beasley to the 3 puts him against smaller players, and he is playing with bigger guys. His strength becomes a serious weapon, ala Anthony. Also his jumper and high post moves are made more effective if he is playing with a true post scorer.

I see no reason an 18/19 yr old Beasley would have any problems with the 3 more than the 4.

[UGA Hayes]

I don't trust beaslet to guard 3s. Beside so so desire he has heavy leg syndrome.

[revprodeji]

I can agree on the desire, which I think will be an issue at the 3 and the 4, but "heavy leg syndrome" could you define that?

[revprodeji]

Peja does play the 3, I doubt Beasley is worse then Peja at the 3. Glenn Robinson made a long career at the 3.