Under the new cap, maybe. But that's also contingent on him vastly improving his defense. Right now he is still a net negative even when considering his offense. Some of that may be chemistry and learning the system and much of that may be coaching (I think this version of Beasley is coachable), but it's still a big if in my mind. Still, no reason to not be a cautious optimist in this regard.
I don't think his defense is that bad. He hustles. He also rebounds very well. Even if he's an okay defender we live with that.
I'm not a stats guy, more of an eye-test guy really but I think the stats are against Beasley ever since, that's always haunting him for years that while he scores, he gives double back which basically makes him useless. Heard that too much since and I really hope Beas finds a way to prove that wrong. What encourages me though, is the tangible stuff. His grit, passion, willingness, all attributes that can never be measured by any statistical measurement......all are surprisingly there at the moment. Guys I'm telling you, the stats might not support Beas (yet) but Beasley's effort and activity on both ends so far has been GREAT especially compared to his previous seasons, that I can assure all of you. Who knows how long he keeps up this focus.....as a Rockets fan I'd obviously hope much much longer than this 8-game sample size.
He's not an OK defender, yet. But he's been a passable defender at times in his career and he looks like he's receptive to direction. Problem is that Dwight looks checked out and Ariza is not a vocal defensive leader, Harden is Harden, and Beverley is too far up guarding the ballhandlers that he couldn't possibly tell Beasley where to be, when to switch, etc... I think Beasley can improve to a degree just by feeling out his teammates and perhaps moreso with a good coach. But he HAS to improve for him to be effective over the course of a season. He's the anti-Smoove; Smoove would give it to you on defense but taketh away on offense. He ended up being a neutral for us last year - even when you consider the wild highs of that Game 6 - but he was a total negative this year. Beasley hasn't been that bad, but he has yet to even be a neutral commodity for us overall because of his D. One has to hope that it will get there sooner or later.
From what I have seen so far I am fine with his defense. He does a good job of tracking the ball for rebounds (though doesn't box out...but nobody on the team does either). He moves his feet and can get to places, side to side, pretty well. He had that nice trackdown block a game back. His defense is serviceable to me right now for his role on the team. He looks like he is hustling. He misses a few assignments but that is to be expected since he is so new.
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Is there any way we could mix Smoove's D with Beasley's offensive skillset? Beast player right there.
Beas needs & more importantly deserves @ least 28 mins of burn every game. <iframe width="554" height="328" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O31LqmSNk_Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Josh Smith actually tasted how life was as a star back in Atlanta, Georgia. (not saying he was necessarily a real one) Fans and so on Beasley never had that luxury.
Rockets should give Beasley the ball once we've build up a lead. At least he'll keep the scoreboard moving.
He's a very good offensive player that is shooting over 50% from the field. Where's the comparison on the court?
