(Globe) BETTER WITH AGE Beasley learns from his mistakes

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BETTER WITH AGE

Beasley learns from his mistakes

Michael Beasley returned to the NBA with the Rockets last year and averaged 12.8 points in 20 games.

Michael Beasley returned to the NBA with the Rockets last year and averaged 12.8 points in 20 games.

Michael Beasley participated in the Las Vegas Summer League for the Rockets. Although he’s only 27, he was old school in that environment. The former No. 2 overall pick was supposed to be a perennial All-Star as a lefthanded small forward with a smooth shooting touch.

Off-the-court issues along with a disregard for defense among other skills have made Beasley a basketball vagabond. After stints in China, Beasley returned to the NBA with the Rockets last year and averaged 12.8 points in 20 games, including an 18-point effort at Boston that sparked a Houston victory.

With his place in the league unsettled, Beasley decided to play in one summer league game this season, collecting 7 points and nine rebounds. He was more of a veteran presence on the bench during the rest of the week, understanding that being more about team will help his reputation.

Beasley was asked about his delusions of grandeur as a 19-year-old after being picked second overall in 2008 by Miami.

“I don’t think anybody knows that guy — I was young, man, I was 19, with everything in the world,” he said. “Live and learn, fortunate to still be here. It’s a good opportunity to be great, fortunately that God gave me multiple chances.”

Although Beasley has been considered a troubled player, it’s a mystery why he was relegated to China when he obviously has NBA skills. Beasley said he isn’t bitter or dumbfounded about his professional journey.

“You take what’s thrown at you, you handle it, and you move on,” he said. “I’m a big believer that God won’t throw you anything that you can’t handle. I pray, wake up, put one foot in front of the other, and let life happen how it happens.”

Beasley has played with four teams in eight years, including two stints with the Heat. He’s only 27 and perhaps with discipline and a couple of breaks could develop into a dependable rotation player. That’s why he was in Las Vegas.

“I feel as if I’ve always been prepared. I’ve been one to take my game seriously, but it’s just a little more special, a little more precious, just slow down and enjoy the ride this time,” he said. “My first time, I was 19, 20 years old, I thought I knew everything and y’all gave me all the money in the world, so I wasn’t thinking to look at y’all [in the eye] anymore. I’m doing it the right way this time, slowing down, enjoying the process, falling in love with the process.

“You see young players and I try to give them a little bit of what I learned and what I’ve been through.”

Beasley spent two seasons in China, including one with the Shanghai Sharks, the same club that Celtics rookie Guerschon Yabusele is signed with for next season. Beasley’s thoughts on his experiences in China and playing in the league, which is known for its high scoring and lack of defense, are complimentary.

“That’s the misconception a lot of people get, NBA guys go to China and average big numbers and automatically you think the talent is not as good,” he said. “It isn’t, but it’s not that far off. It will be the same thing if I was here [in the NBA] and my team was giving me the ball all 48 minutes.

“You get the ball a lot, so you ain’t gotta force no shots or take no bad shots — always taking the right shots, making the right plays. Your IQ and talent will take over from there.

“Man, it’s phy-si-cal. It’s physical here, don’t get me wrong. In the CBA, it’s 92 NBA physical [on a scale of 1-100]. You get knocked out of bounds and you get back on defense. It’s frustrating at first, but once you get used to it, it makes you a better player.”

 

Yeppers, GMs regularly troll NBA writers and fan sites for player evals.