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Former KSU star Beasley one of few bright spots for Timberwolves
Beasley One of Few Bright Spots for T-Wolves
December 1, 2010
By Steve Hunt/FoxSportsSouthwest.com
Michael Beasley made big news during the off-season but it wasn’t for what he did on the court. The ex-Kansas State star was the odd man out in Miami after the Heat signed Chris Bosh and LeBron James. He was traded to Minnesota for two future second-round picks in July as the Heat brass were looking to free up salary cap space.
The 21-year-old forward had been the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by Miami after just one year with Frank Martin’s Wildcats. Even though his time in Manhattan was short, he learned some invaluable lessons at K-State.
“It was good. College is a good experience to kind of live on your own for the first time and do everything for yourself from school to studying to basketball to grocery shopping to laundry. It gives you a sense of responsibility,” Beasley said after the T-Wolves morning shoot around on Wednesday.
And even though he knows he could have been part of the 2009-10 ‘Cats team that went deep into the NCAA Tournament, he’s still at peace with his decision to be a one-and-done player at KSU.
“I’m happy for them but it was time to move on. It was time for go. It makes me proud to say I’m an alum,” Beasley said.
He might have spent just one season playing for the fiery and intense Wildcat head coach, but he remains a big fan of Martin and the job he has done during his time in Manhattan. Beasley also credits his ex-college coach for helping him develop into a player even more ready for the rigors of pro ball compared to before he arrived at KSU.
So far this season, the change of scenery from South Beach to the Great White North has worked wonders for this ex-Wildcat. In the T-Wolves’ first 16 games, the 6-foot-10 youngster was their leading scorer at 21.2 a night while also averaging 6.2 boards and 1.8 assists.
Minnesota head coach Kurt Rambis likes what he has seen thus far.
“He’s been great. We don’t know about his work habits, personality or anything like that, just the potential in him,” Rambis said. “So far, he’s been great. He has a tremendous spirit, loves to play, loves to work, wants to be a really good player and is coachable. Everything about him has been good. We expect him to be really good, so we’re on him all the time to try and improve his game on both ends of the floor.”
Some might wonder what it’s like for Beasley to go from a team that was pretty much a perennial playoff squad in the Heat to what is regarded as one of the worst teams in the Association. But he chooses to see things a bit differently.
“It’s not like that. We feel like we’re growing every day as a team and we get along,” he said.”
He goes admit that going from a high-pressure atmosphere like the one in Miami where expectations were high to just the opposite in the Twin Cities is a welcome change.
“[In Miami] you’re not really trying not to mess up. Here, you’re playing to get better and aren’t really thinking about mistakes,” Beasley said. “They’re going to happen and the coaching staff realizes that. They’re patient with our mistakes. Obviously we need to cut them down to be a better team.”
And now that he’s settled in with his new team, Rambis has been playing him strictly at the three. During his two seasons with the Heat, he saw time at the three and four spots.
“I just love being on the floor whether it’s at the three or four,” Beasley said.
Speaking of his former team, when asked for his thoughts about the Heat’s struggles so far this season, he offered an interesting take on how his ex-employer has fared.
“Y’all look at them and say they’re struggling. I look at them and say they’re still above .500. If that is struggling, I’d love to struggle right now,” Beasley said. “They’ve got a great team stat wise. It’s not an overnight thing. I think by the end of the year, they’ll be on the right track. They’re .500 right now. Everybody hates the Heat because they’re not winning games.
They never said they were going to win every game.”
Playing for a team where the longest-tenured player is fellow big man Darko Milicic, who has seven years of NBA experience, doesn’t give him many veteran teammates to ask for advice.
But this ex-Wildcat standout still has an ace-in-the-hole when it comes to getting some invaluable words of wisdom.
“I talk to coach a lot. I don’t think he likes it but I bug him a lot,” Beasley said.
