Michael Beasley has bottomed out in Phoenix
by Paul Coro, USA TODAY Sports
Less than halfway into his fifth season with a third team, Michael Beasley, who has an $18 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, has bottomed out.
In Saturday’s game at his former Minnesota home, Beasley went 1 for 8 from the field with a goaltending call providing his only make. A quick fourth-quarter yank limited him to 10 minutes. On Monday night in Oklahoma City, Beasley did not play in a game when healthy for the first time in his career.
Given the enormous attention he received from the front office and the long leash of 20 starts he received from the coaching staff, Beasley has only himself to examine for why he is having his worst NBA season when he was talking about proving that he could be a maximum-salary player.
If Beasley looked in the mirror after not playing in Oklahoma City, he could not even see himself. Visiting with childhood friend Kevin Durant’s friends and family inside Chesapeake Energy Arena, Beasley wore a ski mask as he assured, “I’m smiling,” when asked about not playing.
“Maybe it’s my fault,” Beasley said. “I’m going to watch film like I’ve been doing. I’m going to evaluate and critique myself and go from there. There ain’t nothing I can do but look forward and up. I’m already at the bottom so there really isn’t too many places I can look. I’m just ready for 2012 to be over, dating back to even last season. I’m going to keep coming into this game optimistic. I put enough hours in and take enough jump shots. I’m in the gym pretty much longer than anybody in the NBA. I’m going to stay optimistic and trust my game.”
A mask does not hide the disappointment of his season. Beasley, the Suns’ third highest paid active player, is averaging career lows in points (10.2) and rebounds (3.5). He is shooting a career-worst 37.3 percent from the field after being a 45.5 percent shooter over four seasons with 177 starts.
Recently, Beasley’s stats have deteriorated into 32 percent shooting and a 6.3 scoring average in the nine games since his 18-point first … [For more on Michael Beasley has bottomed out in Phoenix, click here.]
Loading ...
