From Phillip Barnett, Lakers Nation: In a time when the culture of NBA philosophies began moving away from highly specialized role players to ball players with more unique skill sets who can fill multiple roles, Mike D’Antoni was on the forefront of an offensive revolution that saw teams — and more specifically — his Phoenix Suns try to win games by speeding up the pace of the game to manufacture high percentage shots in as many possessions as possible. What wasn’t specific to D’Antoni’s offense, however, was the utilization of basketball players who can fill multiple roles on the offensive end and defend multiple positions on the defensive end. Despite their contrasting styles of play, this changing of the guard is a reason that the Lakers and Suns met in the 2010 Western Conference Finals. They weren’t just the two best teams in the Western Conference that season, but they were the two teams in the Western Conference with the most interchangeable parts.
From Kurt Helin, Pro Basketball Talk: Kobe Bryant has an obstacle in front of him, and that is when he is at his best. That is when he is most driven. Kobe at age 35 is working on a comeback from a ruptured Achilles that might have ended the career of lesser players. But Kobe was not going to let the image of him limping off the court be the last one of his career. He is fighting to get back in the game. He is fighting for that sixth right. And former teammate Antawn Jamison said count him out at your own risk during a radio interview with ESPN Los Angeles (as transcribed by Ramona Shelburne at ESPNLosAngeles.com).
From TheGreatMambino, Silver Screen & Roll: With the Lakers at their usual self-imposed 14-man roster limit, it’s time for us here at Silver Screen & Roundtable to take a look at the docket and discuss….wait, did I write “docket”? I meant “damage report”. It’s been a summer like few others in franchise history, as the Lakers primary offseason goal was torpedoed in gloriously public fashion. A seven-time All-Star left Southern California for Texas, and with him a clear view of where the franchise was headed in the immediate future. However, as big as his departure was, change wasn’t just confined to the center position.
From Jimmy Goldstein, NBA.com: I moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s as a graduate student at UCLA and immediately began to attend all the Lakers games and sit courtside (back then, courtside seats cost $15 per game). I had come from Milwaukee, where I had worked as a statistician for what was then the Milwaukee Hawks (now known as the Atlanta Hawks). I was a teenager, and I became hooked on the NBA at an early age to begin a lifetime involvement. When I arrived in Los Angeles and began to attend Lakers games, I was still a big fan of the Hawks, even though the Hawks had left Milwaukee. The Hawks and Lakers were rivals, and I wasn’t about to abandon my loyalty to the Hawks just because I was a student in Los Angeles. Thus was the origin of my becoming an “anti-Lakers” fan. I hoped that the Lakers would lose because it would help the Hawks. And so I quietly pulled for the opposition, clapping when they scored a basket. Not all the fans around me appreciated my behavior. One fan, a well-known attorney, met with the Lakers’ general manager and demanded that my floor seat be taken away from me. He was told that I had the right to root for whomever I wanted.
Shaun says
I really dont care that beasley is a hot head or that he likes to smoke weed on occasion – remember that is now legal in 2 states and the attorney general is looking to downgrade it to a misdemeanor instead of a felony – I think he would be a great add for the lakers – Odom is essentially gone the whole year and we still need a 3/4 type player with size which Beasley would give us plus as much as I don’t like Dantoni I think Beasley is a player that would do well in his system.
Darius Soriano says
Shaun,
You should probably care that while he’s flashed his talent, Beasley has not shown he’s a particularly good basketball player, though.
Jay A says
Beasley is a good player who hasn’t been used in well (apart from his 1st year in Miami). On the Lakers, he would easily be 2nd, 3rd or 4th best player depending on the night. He can play 3 and 4 which is what this team needs badly. On the right team he can be a solid rotation player.
Shaun says
He is a good basketball player – or at least a player that is above d-league type guys – he isint going toe to toe with guys like Durant in the summer leagues without any talent.
He has the size 6’9 245lbs that we need in a bigger 3/4 hybrid, he has the speed, his numbers cannot be worse that wesley johnson or Odom from last year – has 3pt range to be a stretch 4 if we need him to be that, can create off the dribble, and is faster than most 4s.
The guy just needs to be used right.
sufian says
Beasly reminds me of Glenn robinson. He can score from anywhere at anytime, he just needs to have a coach who can handle him. I would advocate us picking him up, a lineup of nash, kobe, beasely, pau and hill can be destructive.
MannyP says
Shaun – I don’t care of weed is legal in 50 states. As long as its illegal for use in the NBA, then players need to avoid using it during the season. The fact that this guy has been caught multiple times says a lot about his self control and his inability to follow the big picture.
Robert says
Shaun: MannyP is correct. Beasley is a problem child and should be avoided. To blend this with your opinion of MD: It takes a great coach to make guys like this work out well. It usually does not work (MWP in Game 7 being an exception of course, Dennis Rodman with the Bulls being another – those two had something in common – but I digress – just wanted to bring a smile to MannyP’s face).
Darius Soriano says
Last year Beasley shot 40% from the floor, 31% from behind the arc (on 144 attempts), had a true shooting % of 46%, and a PER of 10. Plus, he had the distinction of having more field goal attempts than points scored — something that you could live with if he was a shot creator for others, a rebounder, or a strong defender, but he’s none of those things. Taken in a whole, these issues speak to poor decision making on the court. His issues off the court speak for themselves.
I’m not saying Beasley can’t be redeemed as a player (though I have my doubts). I’m saying he’s not proven to be good at basketball in some time, nor has he shown he can help his team win when he did put up numbers (save for, maybe, his rookie season). If you want to compare him to Nick Young, that’s fine since it’s a somewhat apt comparison (though Young has been more productive while not having the same off court issues) strictly from the “type” of player he is when on the floor. I don’t see the point in acquiring more of these types of guys, potential or not, versatility or not, team needs be damned. Because whatever the team needs are, he’s not really shown he can fill them.
And, like I said, Beasley has talent. The ability to channel it consistently and in a way that actually helps his team has not been something he’s good at. This really isn’t arguable from a stats or eye test stand point.
Fern says
He should be a nice adition no matter how people slice it, but he need to be put on a leash, 1 strike and give him the boot when motivated this doofus can help he could be picked up for the vet min. Roll the dice….
Fern says
I disagree with the ” he havent been used right” theme, he has shown flashes, last tear he torch us at least 2 times but the bottom line he is an idiot. The teams wanted to use him right, like starter right, but he is too stupid to take care of the chances given to him. I say bring him here and make him earn his minutes, that might lit a fire under him, who know.
Snoopy2006 says
Beasley would be a colossal mistake.
I still don’t get why Jimmy Goldstein is famous, other than the fact that he’s rich and goes to a lot of games. And yet he gets all this media attention. I could care less how he feels about the Lakers, and I don’t blame Kobe the slightest for ignoring a courtside fan who actively roots against your team every game.
bryan S. says
Snoopy: with you on Goldstein. He is obviously a serious fan and knows NBA basketball–gotta give him that. His Laker antipathy, however, speaks to his existential misery: a lonely life chasing a young man’s game across the country, wearing a wardrobe that shouts “look at me, I’m a member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience!” What a self-absorbed wretch. . . .
Vasheed says
I think Beasley could fit in MDA’s system. I think hes a worthwhile gamble for min salary at 1 year. He is an athletic guy with a decent if not incredible outside shot.
Craig W. says
I too like Beasley’s talent. However, on any ballclub there are only so many spots and very few can be used on totally potential players. The Lakers have used up their allotment. Therefore, I am not in the camp that think we should give him a chance. Yes there is upside, but there are enough ‘ifs’ on this year’s team. If we add anyone, I would think it would be someone a bit more stable and – dare I say it – bland. I also now put Odom in this category – though I previously would have liked to see him because of his history with us and his skill-set fits our needs.
Warren Wee Lim says
Sign Beasley and we can lure Gilbert Arenas to make it complete.
Internet and Sarcasm don’t mix.
Shaun says
No nm beasley or odom we signed shawne williams – thats the offseason folks
AusPhil says
The best thing about Goldstein (other than his courtside seat) is his amazing Lautner-designed house.
Mid-Wilshire says
Dan Devine of Ball Don’t Lie says it best:
“The repeated off-court transgressions, combined with less-than-compelling on-court stuff like brazenly chucking terrible air-balls, openly admitting to tuning out everyone including his coaches, shooting just 40.5 percent from the floor and 31.3 percent from 3-point range, and playing scarcely a lick of defense — made Beasley persona non grata in Phoenix. After wearing out his welcomes with the Miami Heat, who drafted him No. 2 overall in 2008, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who traded a pair of second-round picks and cash for him in 2010, Beasley again became a mind-numbingly inefficient millstone whom his team’s front office and fans would rather quietly jettison than hope to reach, even if it meant paying him to go away. So Phoenix will pay Beasley to go away, albeit not as much as they’d previously been slated to pay to keep him around.”
Those of you who are pro-Beasley–Are you sure you want him around?
batman says
an athletic 3/4 hybrid with a feisty side needing redemption badly? nah lets sign SHAWNE WILLIAMS! its going to be a rough year laker fans a very rough year
rr says
With Johnson, Landry, and Harris on the roster, I don’t see enough reasons to take a shot with Beasley.
Tra says
For those advocating for the signing of Michael ‘Blunt’ Beasley, maybe the signing of Shawne ‘Weed’ Williams is a reliable fall back option. Lol
Wow .. Can this off-season get any worse?
Kevin_ says
Tra: I think the off season could’ve gone as good as it has. Lots of upside with 1 year deals and young players. Could go wrong but season was likely a throw away if Dwight left anyways.
I don’t think Lakers need 3 volume shooters, Beasley would need years to become a valuable basketball player and Lakers don’t have the time or coaches to reach him.
Forgot the Lakers scored 102.2 pts a game last year. A few ticks up in 3pt percentage from 35 to maybe 37 or 38 as a team knocks them up to one of the best scoring teams in the league. I think the ceiling is probably the 2011-2012 Knicks. Season will definitely depend on 3pt percentage this season.
Keno says
Signing Williams? Guy averaged 17 points playing for Mike in New York. Interesting since Kelly may not ever recover from his feet issues.
Renato Afonso says
Shwane Williams… I simply don’t understand unless there weren’t any players willing to sign for the minimum.
Snoopy2006 says
There is nothing feisty about Beasley on the court. His entire problem is that he doesn’t compete well, especially defensively. If he closed out hard and made the right play on the defensive end, you might be able to live with his offensive inefficiency. But everything about him screams of a lack of commitment to the game. When a “talented” player has failed not one, not two – but three different situations (the last of which wanted him to be their #1 offensive weapon and truly gave him every opportunity) a guy stops being a redemption project and just becomes a waste of time and energy.
Please keep in mind one of the most stingy owners in the NBA just paid Beasley to go away.
PurpleBlood says
Kevin,
that´s a hell of a post, nice goin´
_____
Snoop,
“I don’t blame Kobe the slightest for ignoring a courtside fan who actively roots against your team every game.´´
You got that right, man!
_____
bryan S,
Goldstein could NEVER even have SNIFFED Jimi´s, Billy´s or Mitch´s boot heels! (i understand the obvious reference though), at least he´s got a nice house…
Vasheed says
More on Beasley,
I think people on this board are thumbing their noses as him as if the lakers were loaded with options to fill a need at PF. We have Hill who while talented is not really a PF but a small ball center. Then we have Pau who can play PF but really should be at center. Then we have untested rookies of which I think Kelly has a shot of starting because of the lack of depth in front of him.
Beasley, may not be a great player. He may be a headache. He may not excel as much as you may want at the skill sets the Lakers need as wanted but he does have those skill sets at least. So I would say give him a shot.
JB says
Look, give Beasley a non-guaranteed one-year contract, bring him to camp, and if he’s unwilling or unable to put it together for what will almost certainly be his last shot in the NBA, then waive him. Low risk, medium reward.
I feel bad for him because he’s probably just a dumb kid to whom everything came easy until he hit the brick wall of the pros. Darius mentioned he, along with Marcus Fizer, are the only two NBA players with usage over 20% and negative win shares, and I see a lot in common between them–slightly undersized guys that are just gifted as hell, then suddenly when their defender is 6’11” instead of 6’5″, they can’t compensate.
Some guys are beasts in college because they’re just that much better naturally and don’t have to put in the work, and when they get to a point where they have to commit to it, the idea of practicing to get better (or stay at the same level) hasn’t penetrated their brain. Iverson was (in)famously able to get away with it because he was a total athletic freak, most everyone else has to work at it.