Heat call addition of 'humbled' Michael Beasley a 'no-brainer'
Drinking snake juice and eating horse and lizard meat during a season abroad can really change a man's perspective.
Unable to find a guaranteed roster spot after six seasons and four stops in the NBA, former No. 2 overall pick Michael Beasley spent his season to date plying his trade in China. Suiting up for Yao Ming's Shanghai Sharks, Beasley proved what everyone's long known - that he can really, really score.
"Bease? He could score anywhere on God's green earth," three-time teammate Dwyane Wade said Friday. "That's what he does."
What remains unclear is whether Beasley can do so effectively within the confines of a greater team picture. That's something the Miami Heat are betting on, having signed Beasley for his third stint with the club Friday.
While his last tour with the team in 2013-14 ended with LeBron James and head coach Erik Spoelstra reportedly expressing disappointment in him, the Heat sound more than happy to have him back.
"We think it's the fit that we need right now," Spoelstra said. "It really felt like a no-brainer."
On the court, it does make a lot of sense. Without Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts, the Heat lack power forwards and offensive weapons. Beasley's defense will probably always be found wanting, but he's averaged 13.2 points in 24.9 minutes for his career at a league-average efficiency.
Those kind of players aren't readily available in late February.
"He's perfect for what we're looking for right now," Udonis Haslem, also around for all three of Beasley's tours with Miami, said.
For his part, Beasley is glad to be back in the NBA.
"I feel great," Beasley said. "I'm definitely blessed and humbled for yet another opportunity, and I'm ready to take it by storm."
Given what's transpired in Miami this season with Hassan Whiteside and Henry Walker, it wouldn't be surprising if the Beasley reclamation project worked as well. It'll get started Friday in New Orleans, with Beasley coming off the bench and donning No. 30.