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Deveney: Heat should trade the No. 2 pick
Wow. It takes a moment to formulate the proper response to that.
How about this: If Beasley joins the Miami Heat as the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft and Davis becomes his teammate, the overall level of maturity on that roster will increase. That should cover it.
Beasley never has been in the same place long enough to demonstrate what he'll be like as a long-term member of a franchise. He bounced from high school to high school and only spent one year at Kansas State. But he won games everywhere he went and took K-State to the NCAA Tournament second round after the Wildcats had waited a dozen years just to make the field.
Davis has played 10 years in the NBA and participated in 11 playoff games. That's not series -- that's games.
Heat president Pat Riley never has hesitated to bring in potential or proven head cases before. In addition to Davis, he put Jason Williams and Antoine Walker in Miami uniforms. Those guys always managed to create or locate discomfort no matter where they turned up, and yet Riley latched onto them. They're all exceptionally gifted, but none has the level of talent that Beasley will carry into the NBA.
| NBA draft debates |
| Draft quality: Good draft | Bad draft |
| Sleeper: Ryan Anderson | Chris Douglas-Roberts |
| DeAndre Jordan: Likely bust | Worth the risk |
| Heat's No. 2 pick: Trade it | Hold on to it |
| Foreign players: Origin irrelevant | Avoid them |
He may be the most gifted, versatile offensive forward to enter the league in the past 20 years. He can play a power game inside, but he's best facing the basket and daring opposing bigs to chase him around the halfcourt. He will produce at a high level in the NBA and probably will rank among its leading scorers by the time he reaches his third season.
There are genuine, sensible concerns about Beasley. Does he care as little for practice as some have suggested? Given his frequent relocation in past years, how will he respond to hearing the same coaching voice over a couple of seasons or more? Will he commit himself to playing high-level defense or simply rely on his overwhelming offensive skills to justify his checks?
The best way to address those concerns is to surround Beasley with selfless, high-character teammates who are committed to team success. Dwyane Wade is a nice start. Shopping Ricky Davis might be the next step.
Mike DeCourcy is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at decourcy@sportingnews.com.
SPEAK OUT ON THIS ARTICLE
As we speak, I heard on ESPN radio that the Heat are trying to extend Shawn Marion. Imagine both Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley playing the forward sports with Dwayne Wade at guard! Shoooot!!!! That lineup scares me!!!!
theophilus166 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 07:39 pm
I think the Bulls would be stupid to not take him #1, but if he gets by Miami at 2, the Heat deserve to lose.
When you have to look deep to find something wrong with someone, you're overlooking all that's right. "He's shorter than we thought!" Ummm....that sure didn't stop him from leading the country in rebounds, now did it?
The kid hasn't gotten in any trouble since high school, and the bottom line is that he plays basketball better than anyone in this draft.
GMoney$ on Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:00 am
Bulls could have both Rose and Beasley while the Heat reload and surround DWade with more proven players for a quicker turnaround.
nodunk on Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:21 pm
dlarg001 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 01:36 pm
jdizzel3000 on Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:50 am
Man that wasn't even the worst of it ....the bulls drafted LaMarcus Aldrige only to turn around and TRADE him for Tyrus Thomas?!?!?! that was the wost part... miami dont be that dumb ....draft beasley if he is avalible...
