Michael Beasley has been a pleasant surprise for the Knicks this season, capped off by a pair of 30+ point performances in the team’s last two victories. Less than two years ago, however, Beasley — who had solidified himself as a star in the Chinese Basketball Association — started accepting the fact that he may never play in the NBA again, Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports writes.
Beasley, still just 28 years old, said interest in him two springs ago was limited not due to his talent but issues with his maturity and questionable off-the-court incidents. A call from the Mavericks did not amount to much and it was not until the Rockets — a team Beasley said was not on his radar — agreed to take a look at him in 2016. After an impressive 20-game cameo in Houston followed by a productive season in Milwaukee last year, Beasley proved he can be a useful asset in the NBA.
“If you love to do it, do it. That’s why I play basketball,” Beasley said. “That’s why being in China was so important. When the NBA was no longer a realistic dream, basketball kept me sane. It’s ironic. You have to go halfway across the world to a place you’ve never been to find yourself.”
In 26 games (six starts) this season, the man who dubbed himself a “walking bucket” in the preseason is averaging 10.9 PPG and 4.1 RPG. It has not been an easy road back to success for the former second overall pick; having a wife and kids has changed Beasley’s priorities, which he said motivates his on-court effort.
Check out other news from the Knicks organization below:
- Much like Beasley, veteran point guard Jarrett Jack has been a welcome addition to a Knicks team currently occupying the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Jack, 34, will play in just his second Christmas Day game on Monday when the Knicks face the Sixers at Madison Square Garden. After a torn ACL in January 2016 put his career in jeopardy, Jack appreciates every game he plays in, Newsday’s Al Iannazzone writes. “Every day,” Jack said of his appreciation, “because I understand in one game, it could be taken away from you for a substantial amount of time. That’s what happened to me. I don’t take none of it for granted.”
- While he nurses a stress injury to his left leg, Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. has not received enough credit for his strong play this season, his father, Tim Hardaway Sr., said to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
- Stan Van Gundy voiced a theory this week that the NBA purposely organized the Knicks schedule to include more home games than road games in the early going to help the franchise build confidence. However, an industry source tells Marc Berman of the New York Post the scheduling had to do with the Grammys being hosted at Madison Square Garden in January.
Is SVG serious??? Conspiracy theory much there Balky’s bro.