HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

When you ask Michael Beasley of the Minnesota Timberwolves where he has improved most as a basketball player this year, his response is simple.

"Maturity," Beasley tells HOOPSWORLD. "I definitely feel like every part of my game has gotten better, but I don’t think I’ve added anything new to my game this year. I’m just toning it up and learning to play at a pace."

Teammates and coaches see the improvement in his maturation level both on and off the court. As Minnesota’s second-leading scorer, Beasley took on many new challenges this year and is doing quite well.

"He’s had to make adjustments from where he was last year to being a featured player on this team, finding a rhythm and finding a way to be a leader at the same time," said assistant coach Reggie Theus. "Kurt (Rambis) has done a better job of getting him the ball in areas where he can score and where he can be more productive, but I think Mike’s concentration level—predominantly on the defensive end—is where he’s trying to get better. Offense comes natural, but we’re trying to teach him how to be more efficient offensively. JB (Bickerstaff) works with him a lot, but on the defensive end is where he has the most work to do."

While a lot of young players want attention and the credit for their team success, Beasley understands he is only a singular part of the Timberwolves future. That is something which surprises many that cover this young team because, simply, it seems as if the entire roster shares those thoughts, which is a great indicator of future success.

"It’s just playing at a pace, keeping my teammates involved, making sure we’re all doing what we’ve got to do on and off the court," said Beasley. "Basically, just remembering that it’s not always about scoring. It’s about making the right plays and the right decisions. I’m just being a team player and sometimes that means taking a backseat to Kevin (Love) and his performances, which is never bad. I’m just being mature and knowing when to turn it on."

It is easy to forget that Beasley is changing positions this year and that’s not easy to do. In Miami, Beasley played a lot of his time in the post, while in Minnesota he finds the ball in his hands on the wing quite often, playing the small forward position.

"In college I played multiple positions, so I definitely understand it’s difficult," Wesley Johnson tells HOOPSWORLD. "There’s different screens you have to learn and he’s definitely doing a good job adjusting. It’s both mental and muscle memory, but more so mental. The more you’re used to doing something, then you get caught up in the new thing. It’s definitely difficult."

"It’s very tough," adds Love. "It’s not like going from the four position to the five position. He’s going from the four to the three, so he’s a lot more perimeter oriented and has to guard different guys out there and not guys that are running to the block every single time. It’s very different. I don’t know if I could adjust to it as quickly as he has. He’s going to adapt to different things that are coming his way, especially on the defensive end."

Love sees enough hope in Beasley, as well as Wes Johnson, he may very well want to stick it out in Minnesota for years to see how it turns out.

"I knew him and knew what he was capable of if he was given an opportunity and he’s taking advantage of it," Kevin Love told HOOPSWORLD. "He’s had a lot of high scoring games, he’s a lefty, unorthodox guy, just turned 22-years old and he’s only going to get better from here on out. I’m looking forward to growing with Mike here in Minnesota."

While showing promise on the court, it may be just as important that Beasley has found a way to remain focused off the court. While Beasley, his teammates and coaches will all remind fans he has a ways to go on his journey, they also remind of the progress made in a short amount of time.

{AUTHOR_BOX}"He came here with a reputation of being this way or that way, but Mike is a great guy," said Theus. "There have been no issues with us and actually, he’s been a pleasant surprise in that area. A lot of times when you look at him, you don’t realize he’s only 22-years old, so he’d just barely be a rookie in this league. He’s got a ways to go, he’s learning a lot and this situation here is going to make him a better player because he has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders now and sometimes when you put that kind of responsibility on people, the learning curve speeds up."

"The fact that he realizes that maturity isn’t something where you just turn a light-switch on," Theus adds. "We’ve all taken a long time to mature to the fine young men that we are, so he knows he has a little ways to go. He’s working on it, he realizes where he has to make his strides and I think he’s doing a great job."

Which begs the question: why does it all seem to be coming together now for Michael Beasley?

"Because I want it to happen," said Beasley. "I want my game to elevate to where I’m great and everyone knows I’m great and I’m not there yet. I’m far from it, but I want to move in that direction. I want to be that player that everybody loves playing with. I want to attract players for the rest of my career and it starts now. I work hard and my work ethic is tops in the NBA. I really want it. I’m here early, I leave late, and I watch film on top of film on top of film. I think I’m moving in the right direction, but it’s about being patient and allowing it to happen."

If he continues on his path, Michael Beasley will be a great part of the Minnesota Timberwolves for many years.

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