Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Five years ago, Michael Beasley was the second overall pick in the NBA draft. At the time, some even argued the Chicago Bulls should have taken Beasley over Derrick Rose, with the number one pick. Oh, how wrong those people are today. Beasley will reportedly be released by the Phoenix Suns this week, following the worst season of his professional career (10.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG).
To say the least, it’s been a rough road for Beasley so far in his NBA career. It started out with two average seasons in Miami, and then another two year run in Minnesota. His career season came in 2010-11, when he averaged 19 points and five rebounds for the T-Wolves. But since then, his career has been on a steep downward slide. It all culminated on August 6th, with his arrest for alleged marijuana possession. This latest incident is just one in a long line for the former number two pick.
First things first, dude needs to put down the pipe. Getting his head clear would go along way towards revitalizing his basketball career. He has to do something different, because his current system of doing things – isn’t working. It’s time for Beasley to change his ways, or he’ll risk ever getting an NBA job again.
I’m sure Bulls’ fans shutter every time they think about the possibility that Beasley could have been drafted to Chicago. Hyndsyte is always 20/20, but it’s been clear for awhile now that they made the right move to draft Rose. Just imagine how different things could be for the Bulls right now. Sure, they’ve had a bit of a rough time since Rose’s injury, but that pales in comparison to the troubles they would have had with Beasley.
Here’s hoping that the troubled forward can get his head on straight and get a fresh start somewhere new in 2013-14. At the same time, it could be the last chance he gets before he has no choice but to play overseas for the rest of his career. That’s of course assuming he wants to keep playing basketball…
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