Michael Beasley News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

February 2

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley came off the bench for a third consecutive game Wednesday against Indiana, two nights after he delivered a monstrously efficient 34-point night at Houston. He's in that role because he missed 11 games before that because of a sprained right foot. But bigger picture, do Beasley's scoring proclivities and defensive liabilities make him a perfect candidate for permanent sixth-man duties? Coach Rick Adelman doesn't want to answer that question so soon after Beasley's return, although he said earlier this season that he has discussed that idea with his coaches since he accepted the job in September. Beasley said he has never considered or been interested in"

Norm Nixon sees progress in Michael Beasley

February 1

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Former NBA star Norm Nixon watched Michael Beasley's performance the past two games from his Los Angeles home. The former Los Angeles Lakers guard has been mentoring the Timberwolves forward, and the recent results made him feel like a "proud parent." "I'm very happy for him," Nixon said of Beasley, who averaged 26 points and shot 59 percent off the bench against Houston and the Lakers. "You can tell he's starting to relax more on the floor. He's doing things he's comfortable with. Now he just has to keep it up." Beasley, who had missed 11 games with a right midfoot sprain, has been so impressive in his return that he might have put Wolves coach Rick Adelman in an interesting situation for"

Beasley at the 2? Or at the 6?

February 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Right now I'm sitting next to Michael and he's wearing all kinds of brown. Brown loafers with lighter-brown shoes with some kind of brown-check pattern, all of which mesh nicely with his brown jacket and pink shirt. So, I'm jealous. Fashion aside, I wanted to touch on something I tweeted last night while watching the Wolves dominate Houston. I've always thought that Michael Beasley's best role would be as a Microwave-style sixth man who could come in with the second unit, jack up shots and be pulled if the opposing coach started running plays to victimize his defensive weaknesses. But maybe the easiest solutions are the best. Maybe Beasley, a gifted shooter and driver who also can be a"

Beasley's big night leads Wolves past Houston

January 31

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Michael Beasley joked afterward that he really had no choice. It was there for him. Beasley, coming off the bench for the Timberwolves on Monday, already had shown that this was going to be one of those nights scorers have. Houston coach Kevin McHale had tried one thing after another, finally asking Courtney Lee to try to slow Beasley down. "Good defender," Beasley said. "But — and no offense to Courtney Lee — he's almost a foot shorter than me. It's just common sense." So Beasley attacked. He jumped, spun, leaned. And when the dust cleared at Toyota Center, Beasley had 34 points and led the Wolves to a 120-108 victory over a Rockets team that had won nine of its previous 10 games,"

A record-setting night for Michael Beasley

January 31

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Greetings from Houston. Youngblood here. I had the distinct privilege to cover tonight's game. It was something to watch. You probably already know the numbers. That the victory, the Wolves' fifth on the road, matches their road win totals from each of the past two seasons. That the Wolves' 42 third-quarter points was the most in the third quarter in franchise history. That Michael Beasley's 34 points off the bench matched the franchise record for a Wolves reserve."

Michael Beasley adjusting to new role in Timberwolves' offense

January 29

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley was struggling in the offense, particularly with his shooting, before he missed 11 games because of a right midfoot sprain. Now that Beasley is playing again, he has to contend with changes in the offense made by Wolves coach Rick Adelman, as well as a reduced role. Before the injury, Beasley was a go-to player when Kevin Love or Ricky Rubio didn't have the ball. "I don't get as many isolation plays as I used to get," Beasley said after Saturday's practice. "We're playing well out of pick and rolls. We're letting Ricky find guys for easy baskets. So whatever is working right now, don't fix it if it's not broken." Beasley, who started the first seven"

Michael Beasley, J.J. Barea out at least another week

January 24

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Minnesota Timberwolves guard J.J. Barea (left hamstring) and forward Michael Beasley (right midfoot sprain) will be out at least another week, coach Rick Adelman said today. Martell Webster (back) and Brad Miller (knee) also will not play tonight, according to Adelman, and both will be re-evaluated Thursday. Beasley was injured late in the fourth quarter of the Jan. 6 game against Cleveland."

Beasley still out with sprained foot

January 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley, out for two weeks with a right mid-foot sprain, will not accompany the team today for the start of a two-game road trip that begins with Friday night's game in Los Angeles against the Clippers. Beasley is out indefinitely after injuring his foot late in the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves' Jan. 6 game against Cleveland at Target Center. The fourth-year forward was the Timberwolves' second-leading scorer (12.9) behind forward Kevin Love before he was injured. Beasley is going through daily rehab work and has been doing some light running, but Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said he is not ready to play. Beasley has missed the past seven"

Timberwolves' Michael Beasley expected to miss two more games with foot injury

January 11

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley, trying to recover from a right midfoot sprain, said he's still experiencing soreness and is expected to miss the team's next two games. Beasley, injured late in the fourth quarter Friday night against Cleveland, was projected to be out for three games. He said he was told "a couple of days ago" by Wolves trainer Gregg Farnam that he would be re-evaluated in a week. "The swelling has gone down, but I can't put too much pressure on my toes and I can't put any weight on the ball of my foot," Beasley said before the Wolves' 111-100 loss to Chicago on Tuesday night at Target Center. "I'll probably have to give it four or five more days. I'm going to be"

Ball movement picks up as Beasley sits out

January 9

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman emerged after Sunday's 93-72 victory ended their two-game losing streak and remarked how the ball moved better offensively against the Wizards that afternoon than it had before in this still young season. So with the starting lineup modified to compensate for the absence of injured Michael Beasley, just why was that? "Um," Wolves forward Kevin Love said, "Mike being out?" He smiled as he said that and then added "I'm just kidding" twice. Ricky Rubio's 14 assists helped the Wolves record more assists (22) than turnovers (16) for the first time since their season-opening loss to Oklahoma City. Is it just a coincidence that the ball moved like it did with"

Michael Beasley's foot injury is latest blow to sputtering Timberwolves offense

January 8

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Seven games into his first season with the Timberwolves, coach Rick Adelman already has reached a grim conclusion. Adelman admitted Saturday, a day after the Wolves' most troubling loss of the young season, that he's up against the biggest challenge of his 21-year NBA coaching career to transform this team into a winner - or one that can at least execute fundamental phases of his system at both ends of the floor. "I've never had a situation like this," Adelman said. "The stuff we're trying to run...we're not getting anything compared to what I'm normally used to seeing." Adelman's high standards are becoming an issue for the Wolves (2-5), who play at winless Washington (0-7) today in the"

Michael Beasley still facing drug charge, contrary to report

December 17

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley still faces a drug charge related to a June 26 traffic stop, contrary to what he told the Pioneer Press on Thursday. Beasley was charged Sept. 28 for allegedly speeding and possessing marijuana in a vehicle. He told the Pioneer Press on Thursday that the incident had been "cleared up" and no charges were filed. But according to Minnesota court records, the case is pending and Beasley has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Jan. 30 in Hennepin County District Court. Jacque Larson, spokesperson for the city of Minnetonka, where the traffic stop took place, confirmed that charges had been filed and still were pending. A call to Beasley's attorney"

Michael Beasley sues ex-agent

October 27

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley has countersued his former agent in a Maryland civil lawsuit, the Washington Post reported Wednesday. Beasley's suit contends agent Joel Bell and Beasley's former AAU coach violated NCAA rules and federal laws governing agent conduct. The suit alleges the two conspired to build a relationship with Beasley since he was age 14 so Bell would represent Beasley professionally."

Beasley: "I feel like we need a leader...I think I can be that guy."

October 25

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"In the end, Michael Beasley's "All Star Classic" became more of a friends and acquaintances thing. Organizers promoted appearances by Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and other NBA stars, but Friday's turnout at Osseo High included several of Beasley's Timberwolves teammates, Golden State's Dorell Wright, a collection of summer-league players and former WNBA player Tamara Moore in one of those typical 179-170 pickup games won by Team Beasley over the Visitors. If you're a Timberwolves fan thinking long term, the most important presence might not have been a player, though, but one of the celebrity coaches. And I'm not talking Adrian Peterson. Former Lakers"

Beasley pursues an image makeover while filling a basketball gap

October 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley has kept busy during an extended, locked-out NBA summer when he played ball everywhere from China to Manhattan's famed asphalt playgrounds. He has also taken up ballet to transform his body and hired a public- relations agency to improve his image. "I want everyone to know that I'm not this monster that they perceive," he said. "I'm a really nice guy." To that end, Beasley has organized what he calls an "All-Star Classic" exhibition game that will be played Friday night at Osseo High School with several of his teammates and other NBA players but won't include the star power of Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, John Wall and No. 2 overall pick Derrick"

No lockout in Osseo: NBA stars coming Oct. 21 for Mike Beasley's All-Star Classic

October 13

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"They can't get into Target Center these days, so NBA stars John Wall, Joakim Noah and DeMarcus Cousins are among those expected to play in Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley's "All Star Classic" at Osseo High School -- of all places -- next week. Beasley's Wolves teammates Derrick Williams, Wes Johnson, Martell Webster, Wayne Ellington and former Wolf Sebastian Telfair are scheduled to play as well in the Friday night, Oct. 21 exhibition game. So, too, are Boston's Jeff Green, Detroit's Greg Monroe, L.A. Clippers' DeAndre Jordan, Chicago's Keith Bogans and Beasley's longtime pal, former Dukie Nolan Smith."

Report: Timberwolves' Beasley injures wrist

August 30

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley suffered a wrist injury Sunday night in an exhibition game in China, according to a report on HoopChina.com. Beasley, playing for a team led by Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce, reportedly had his wrist re-examined after it "felt worse in the morning." The extent of Beasley's injury is unknown."

Michael Beasley gets in a heckling fan's face

August 6

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Just when you think you've experienced the complete Michael Beasley experience come nights such as Thursday. Granted, streetball games in playgrounds tend to come with a distinctly non-NBA protocol. But going after a heckling fan? Never a good idea, especially without NBA-level security in place. But there he was, the former Miami Heat and current Minnesota Timberwolves forward, at New York's Dyckman Park in Washington Heights, in a summer-league game that featured Beasley's Washington-area buddy Kevin Durant, with Beasley taking exception to the taunts of a fan. Soon that face got a shove from Beasley's palm, before the heckler later received an apologetic handshake from the No. 2 overall"

Beasley "mushes" streetball fan in face at NYC tournament

August 6

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Good thing there's a lockout, at least in one respect: It's keeping the Wolves from having to comment on or deal with Michael Beasley issues. First, there was June's traffic stop during which Beasley was ticketed for marijuana possession. On Thursday night, Beasley pushed a taunting fan in the face during a streetball tournament game at Dyckman Park in Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood. Or as that fan said, Beasley "mushed" him. Here's a couple looks at it on video: From ESPN.com And from a Twitvid user named K.D. You can't hear in either one Beasley reportedly yelling, "I get paid for this." as he approaches a group of fans at one court's end during a game in which Oklahoma City"

Michael Beasley shoves fan in face at exhibition

August 5

CBSSports.com

"Streetball games are meant to provide in-your-face action for diehard fans. But not like this. A number of top NBA players -- including Oklahoma City All-Star forward Kevin Durant and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley -- converged on the legendary Dyckman Park in New York City for an exhibition game between Team 914 and Team Nike on Thursday night. Unfortunately, the courtside banter proved to be too much for Beasley, as the New York Daily News reports that one of the NBA's notorious knuckleheads decided to shove a heckler in the face during the game. In the second half, Beasley began jawing with some fans under one of the baskets, at one point shouting "I get paid to do"

Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley to play for D.C. in Goodman League-Drew League game

July 19

Washington Post

"So this Drew League-Goodman League showdown.... First Sam Amick reported on SI.com that Kevin Durant, Baron Davis and others were working on setting up an exhibition game between the famous L.A. and D.C. summer league basketball circuits. Los Angeles natives [Dorell] Wright and Baron Davis are handling the logistics. Wright says he wants to make it a "huge, huge, huge deal," and the game is expected to take place on the court where the likes of Durant, John Wall, Michael Beasley and DeMarcus Cousins so often play in the inner-city D.C. neighborhood known as Barry Farm. Smiley said ESPN has shown some interest in airing the game. The best NBA players from both leagues are expected to team"

Police: Michael Beasley ticketed on marijuana, speeding charges

July 7

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Michael Beasley, who had hoped to put marijuana issues behind him when he came to the Timberwolves last year, was ticketed June 26 for allegedly speeding and having marijuana in his car, according to police. Beasley, who told police that the marijuana belonged to a friend, according to the police report, appears safe from any potential action by the team or the NBA with the league in lockout mode. But a prosecutor said Wednesday he'll take Beasley back to court after the 22-year-old allegedly violated terms of an earlier plea deal. Beasley had been placed on probation for a year in March in Hennepin County but agreed to a deal to dismiss the charges if he could go 12 months without a"

Michael Beasley cited for marijuana, speeding

July 7

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley was cited for marijuana possession after being pulled over for speeding in Minnetonka, police said Wednesday. The traffic stop occurred about 3 a.m. June 26 on Hwy. 12 near Carlson Parkway, said police Capt. Scott Boerboom. Beasley was driving 84 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone, Boerboom said. Officers who stopped Beasley, 22, smelled marijuana in the car and found slightly more than a half-ounce in the vehicle, Boerboom said. A police report said the marijuana was found under the front seat. Beasley said the marijuana belonged to a friend whom he had just dropped off, according to the report. Beasley, who was not under the influence, was cited and"

Beasley cited for marijuana possession, speeding

July 6

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley was cited for marijuana possession after being pulled over for speeding in Minnetonka, police said Wednesday. The traffic stop occurred about 3 a.m. on June 26 on Hwy. 12 near Carlson Parkway, said Capt. Scott Boerboom. Beasley was driving 84 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone, Boerboom said. Officers who stopped Beasley, 22, smelled marijuana in the car and found slightly more than a half-ounce in the vehicle, Boebroom said. Beasley, who was not under the influence, was cited and released, the captain said. Beasley lives in Orono, west of where he was stopped. Telephone messages have been left with the Timberwolves and with an attorney for Beasley seeking"

Timberwolves include Beasley in play for Bynum

June 22

SI.com

"Minnesota is still looking to land a high-level, impact player for its No. 2 pick. A source said one of the Timberwolves' many trade proposals was a request for Lakers center Andrew Bynum, which involved sending small forward Michael Beasley to Los Angeles. I don't see this deal or the reported offer involving Pau Gasol actually happening, but it sheds light on the caliber of player general manager David Kahn is hoping to net for his pick. A source close to the Timberwolves said they haven't settled on whether to take Arizona's Derrick Williams or perhaps Turkish center Enes Kanter, but rival executives expect them to opt for the former over the latter. Yet, with the obvious duplication in"

Beasley may be dealt

June 6

Yahoo! Sports

"With Ricky Rubio finally agreeing to play for Minnesota next season, a major piece to the puzzle has been added to the Timberwolves' roster, allowing them to focus all their attention on this pick. The team has reportedly narrowed down their choices to Williams and Enes Kanter at the moment, but it has also been calling around the league recently to see what this pick might yield via trade, asking particularly for a "veteran big man." It's likely that Williams will be the one taken since he is the consensus second-best talent in this draft, according to NBA decision makers. If Minnesota keeps the pick and indeed selects Williams, sources say the Timberwolves will look to move Michael"

Michael Beasley feels for the Heat but still would gladly trade places with them

April 1

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Michael Beasley's former team has been in the news almost every day this season — from players reportedly shedding tears in the locker room after a one-point loss to Chicago to LeBron James making a questionable trip to the bathroom. The distractions have made the Miami Heat one of the most scrutinized teams in NBA history, yet Beasley would gladly trade positions with a team that was supposed to win the NBA title by just showing up. "Give me 52 wins and people can talk about me all they want to," Beasley said. "People can say anything they want: 'His feet are too big' or 'his head is too big.' They can say whatever they want if I have that many wins." As the celebrated Heat (52-23)"

Michael Beasley views Heat with envy from NBA cellar

April 1

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The latest Twitter account is gone, as is all hope for this season. But Michael Beasley hasn't turned his back on his past. So, yes, the gifted 6-foot-10 forward plans to be back at the playoffs with the Miami Heat, although this time merely as a spectator. Dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the massive July makeover that left the Heat with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and championship visions, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft leaned against a railing Thursday at Target Center and spoke about his new life at the bottom of the standings. "You all could talk about me all you all want to if you give me 53 wins," he said of his turbulent first two NBA seasons"

Andrew Bynum gets two-game suspension for hit on Timberwolves' Michael Beasley

March 21

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum was given a two-game suspension Sunday by the NBA for his flagrant foul on Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley on Friday night at Staples Center. Beasley learned of Bynum's suspension before the Wolves' 127-95 loss to Sacramento on Sunday at Target Center but had a moderate reaction to the league's disciplinary action and to Bynum's apologetic text. Beasley said Bynum sent him a text Saturday morning to apologize for the hard foul that sent him crashing to the floor late in the fourth quarter and left him with a sore hip. Bynum was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty, which results in a fine and automatic ejection. "I didn't need a text from him, but"

Michael Beasley and Timberwolves get body-slammed by Lakers

March 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Pau Gasol scored 25 points, Kobe Bryant added 18 on his sprained left ankle, and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame Andrew Bynum's fourth-quarter ejection to beat the Timberwolves for the 15th straight time, 106-98 on Friday night. Bynum had 10 points and 14 rebounds before getting tossed with 6:16 to play for a flagrant foul against Michael Beasley, who crashed to the floor after Bynum clobbered him on a drive. Despite a rusty return from a three-day break, Los Angeles has won 11 of 12 since all-star weekend. Wes Johnson scored a career-high 29 points for the Timberwolves, who have lost 14 of 18. Beasley scored 18 points before leaving with apparent hip pain from Bynum's foul. The Lakers"

Beasley likely to miss Wednesday's game with injured ankle

February 15

Minneapolis Star Tribune

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"Wolves forward Michael Beasley missed his fourth consecutive game because of that troublesome left ankle on Monday. Beasley likely will miss Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers as well so he'll have an extra six days during All-Star break to rest that ankle."

Michael Beasley and Darko Milic leave game due to injuries

February 8

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Missing two players to begin with and down two more by game's end Monday night, the Timberwolves proved themselves both resilient and winners, two qualities they have lacked far too often this season. Their 104-92 victory over the Hornets was their third on the road all season, and their first since Dec. 26. It came on a night when Kevin Love reached his 37th consecutive double-double game and joined Kevin Garnett and John Stockton as the only NBA players in the past 25 years to do so. It also came when the Wolves started without Luke Ridnour and Martell Webster, then lost Darko Milicic (hip flexor strain) early in the game and Michael Beasley (ankle) late. Beasley re-injured the left"

With go-to player gone, other Wolves step up

January 14

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The ball went from Kevin Love up top to Darko Milicic inside. And it kept moving, quickly. From Milicic to Corey Brewer in one corner. Then to Luke Ridnour, then back to Love up top, then quickly to Wayne Ellington in the opposite corner. He was all alone. Ellington jumped and shot. As Love raised his hands in celebration the three-pointer swished through the net with less than 3 minutes left, putting the Wolves up by five. For Minnesota, it was a dagger, one that put the Washington Wizards on their heels for the final time. But it was more than that. For the Wolves, who won 109-97 at Target Center on Thursday, coming back from four down in the fourth quarter, it was a symbol. On a night"

Michael Beasley injures ankle again

January 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"In the aftermath of the Timberwolves' technical fouls spree was the sight of Michael Beasley being helped off the court late in the fourth quarter of Tuesday night's 107-96 loss to the San Antonio Spurs after he aggravated his sprained left ankle. It was the second consecutive game Beasley was unable to finish because of the injury, prompting the Wolves' second-leading scorer to consider taking time off. "I probably need to shut it down and give it a couple of days rest," Beasley said. "I wasn't 100 percent before the game, but I felt good enough to play." Beasley, who was limited to seven points on 3-for-11 shooting, limped to the Wolves' locker room after stepping on Spurs forward Tim"

Beasley injures ankle third time, says he will 'give it a couple days'

January 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley injured his left ankle for the third consecutive game on Tuesday against San Antonio and said afterward that it's time to give the ankle a rest. "I've just got to give it a couple days," he said. Beasley turned the ankle Friday against Portland, aggravated it Sunday in San Antonio and then came tumbling down again in the final four minutes of Tuesday's 107-96 loss when his foot encountered Tim Duncan's leg just after Beasley made a three-pointer. This time was different. "I really can't walk this time," he said after hobbling to the Target Center locker room. Beasley played 27 minutes, but he made only three of 11 shots and scored seven points, after he"

Beasley misses practice with sore ankle

January 11

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Well, Michael Beasley didn't practice today after missing the second half of Sunday's game in San Antonio after re-tweaking that sore ankle. But he hasn't ruled out playing tomorrow. Though, my gut tells me he probably won't be able to go, or go much. "It's still a little sore," he said. "But I'm going to try. As of right now, I don't really know." Coach Kurt Rambis wouldn't say who would fill in as a starter if Beasley cannot play. Wes Johnson played with Corey Brewer to start the second half Sunday."

Rivers says Beasley could be top scorer

January 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Boston coach Doc Rivers faces Miami three or four times every season in the Eastern Conference, and last spring the two teams played five more times in a first-round playoff series. So he knows Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley, enough to know not to be surprised by the third-year forward's scoring abilities. "Offensively, I've been a big believer in him," Rivers said before his Celtics beat the Timberwolves 96-93 on Monday night. "I just think he can score. I said it two years ago: I think one day he may lead the league in scoring. He just knows how to score the ball. He has a Carmelo ability to score the ball." Beasley scored 19 points, playing only 23 minutes because of foul trouble."

Growth spurt for Beasley's game

January 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Michael Beasley read it a couple of weeks ago. He can't remember where he saw it, but the message of the article stuck with him. "It said I was one-dimensional," the Timberwolves forward said Friday. "It kind of made me upset. I just kind of want to show people that I can do more than just score the basketball." Maybe it was that story he read. Maybe it is the list of things Wolves coach Kurt Rambis and his staff work on with Beasley each day. Maybe it's just the natural progression of a naturally talented player getting the opportunity, over and over again, at important times in basketball games. But Beasley is doing more. Exhibit A: The end of the Wolves game in Cleveland on Sunday, with"

Beasley, Wolves end 7-game skid

December 27

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Well, you don't see this every day. Or like, ever. The same Timberwolves team that can't hold a double-digit lead plucked victory from defeat Sunday, rallying from 14 points down in the final eight minutes to win 98-97 at Cleveland and end a seven-game losing streak because of their defense and Michael Beasley's right hand. Huh? Then the Wolves finished with a 24-9 flourish that featured defense -- see Webster's Unabridged for the definition --and ultimately Beasley's little-used right hand for what was the winning shot with 5.9 seconds remaining. Nearly 48 minutes of basketball became an old-fashioned duel at 15 paces in the closing seconds, when Beasley and Cavs veteran forward Antawn"

Beasley and Durant: Friends always

December 8

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kevin Durant never will forget the morning he met a kid named Mike Beasley all those years ago. He remembers because that's the day he went hungry. "He told you about the pizza, didn't he?" Beasley asked. Why, yes, he did. Beasley was 9 when he first played pickup ball with Durant's youth team in a renowned Washington, D.C., area AAU program. Tall for his age, raw and undisciplined, Beasley was asked to leave the floor early that day. Raised in what he now calls "not the best" neighborhood where he sometimes wondered when he'd next eat, Beasley departed right about the time the pizza ordered for the players arrived. "We were still playing and by the time we came out to eat, all our pizza"

Beasley's early fouls put Wolves in too big of a hole

December 2

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-low 10 points Wednesday night at American Airlines Center, but the Dallas Mavericks carried on undisturbed anyway. You couldn't say nearly the same about the Timberwolves and their leading scorer, Michael Beasley. Beasley sat down barely two minutes into Wednesday's game because of two early fouls, a development that affects not only his team's scoring but also its swagger. The Mavericks simply replaced Nowitzki's 25.7-point scoring average with a deep bench that on Wednesday outscored the Wolves' reserves 59-32 on the same night that Mavs center Tyson Chandler -- not Kevin Love -- set a rebounding record. The Wolves, meanwhile, struggled all evening to find"

Teammate's pep talk elevated Michael Beasley's game

November 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"There were assumptions that Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley's hot stretch the past five games — averaging 33 points and shooting 56 percent from the floor — was based on Beasley getting more comfortable in coach Kurt Rambis' triangle offense. Beasley offered up the real reason for his impressive numbers — a heart-to-heart chat last week in Sacramento with second-year point guard Jonny Flynn. "He said, 'Man, you got to be that Mike Beasley I remember growing up,' " Beasley said Thursday of Flynn's advice. "Once he said that, I realized this is the same game I've been playing most of my life ... just put the ball in the bucket. That's what I was taught growing up. That's what got me"

Michael Beasley: Being like Mike

November 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The last time the Timberwolves played the two-time defending NBA champion Lakers, they remained a team searching for its identity and the player it could rely upon with the game in doubt. That was an entire 10 days ago in Los Angeles. The teams meet again Friday night at Target Center. This time, the Wolves arrive now better understanding they are a team defined as much by Michael Beasley's rediscovered swagger as Kevin Love's old-school fundamentals. Love has been everywhere on national radio talk shows, podcasts, you name it since he delivered 23 points and 24 rebounds in Los Angeles and that historic 31-31 game against New York three days later. Beasley is the guy in whose hands Wolves"

Michael Beasley shaping up as Timberwolves' go-to star

November 18

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to be a go-to player in the NBA. As an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, he saw Kobe Bryant put up game-winning shots at the buzzer. As a player for the Lakers in the 1980s, he and teammates had the comfort of knowing that Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or James Worthy would be on the floor to rescue the Lakers from a possible defeat. Rambis believes it takes a "special player" to earn the stature of a go-to guy. Wednesday night at Target Center against the Los Angeles Clippers, Michael Beasley might have taken a significant step in claiming that title with the Wolves. Beasley — discarded by the Miami"

Beasley's heroics bring win on a night for youth

November 18

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Michael Beasley blacked out. This is his description, mind you. The Wolves' emerging go-to, game-closing threat was on the bench during a timeout, with 14.2 seconds left in a tied game with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Target Center. He knew his was the number being called, but that's about it. "Honestly, I just black out," Beasley said afterward. After he had taken the inbounds pass, held on to the ball as the clock ticked down, dribbled to the right of the lane and hit a 15-footer over former Wolves player Ryan Gomes, giving the Wolves a 113-111 victory. "I stop thinking about everything," Beasley continued. " 'Cause when I think it's not really too good." On Monday in"

Timberwolves forwards Kevin Love, Michael Beasley bringing out the best in each other

November 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The question has to be asked: Would Kevin Love be leading the NBA in rebounding today if the Timberwolves still had Al Jefferson? Probably not. The reasons why Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn and coach Kurt Rambis wanted to trade Jefferson have become dramatically clear, particularly in the past three games. Getting the majority of minutes at the power forward spot, Love has had the freedom to maneuver in the lane for rebounds, while Michael Beasley has demonstrated the potential to be one of the league's more versatile small forwards — with the ability to shoot outside and drive to the basket. The Love-Beasley combination is working much better than the disjointed"

Beasley puts on show with career-best 42 in rare road victory

November 11

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Such disparate basketball personalities as Pat Riley, Kevin Love and your momma predicted there would nights like this, Wednesday's 98-89 victory at Sacramento. Love promised weeks ago that Timberwolves newcomer Michael Beasley would produce the "spectacular" before too long. Riley said the day after he traded the 2008 draft's No. 2 overall pick to the Timberwolves last summer that Beasley likely would come back to haunt the Heat — or somebody — with a 29-point, 19-rebound some faraway night. On Wednesday, Beasley scored a career-high 42 points — 18 of them in the game's first 10 minutes, 27 in the first half alone — on 17-for-31 shooting and on a bruised left hip that delivered the Wolves"

Beasley sits out due to tender hip

November 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley sat out Wednesday's game at Orlando because of that hip he bruised the night before in Miami from a nasty fall he'd rather not ever see again. "I couldn't really watch it," he said. "I tried, and I can stomach a lot, but the first time, it hurt me just watching it. Oh, it was bad. The whole crowd just shut up. When you hear that 'Ohhhhhhhh,' you know it's not real good." Beasley said his hip didn't feel as bad when he awoke Wednesday morning as he thought it would. He said he would have played Wednesday if it were up to him, but admitted he'd probably hurt the team because he can't move laterally full speed and he said coach Kurt Rambis and the team's"

Beasley sits out due to tender hip

November 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley sat out Wednesday's game at Orlando because of that hip he bruised the night before in Miami from a nasty fall he'd rather not ever see again. "I couldn't really watch it," he said. "I tried, and I can stomach a lot, but the first time, it hurt me just watching it. Oh, it was bad. The whole crowd just shut up. When you hear that 'Ohhhhhhhh,' you know it's not real good." Beasley said his hip didn't feel as bad when he awoke Wednesday morning as he thought it would. He said he would have played Wednesday if it were up to him, but admitted he'd probably hurt the team because he can't move laterally full speed and he said coach Kurt Rambis and the team's"