Post by zeropointzero on Oct 16, 2010 20:56:00 GMT -5
Michael Beasley
Age: 18
Height: 6'9''
Weight: 230
Position: F
School: lots of high schools
Committed to: Kansas State
Inside = B
Outside = B-
Handling = C+
Defense = C-
Rebounding = B-
Potential = A
Beasley is another in the mold of the new hybrid forward who has the height to play the 4, but the skill to play the 3. Beasley does his biggest damage in the paint, working off the ball, often continuing moves from the elbow or the baseline to finish with acrobatic layups. He’s a flat-out impressive finisher around the rim. He perfectly uses both hands, and his ability to hang in the air with the balance he shows there allows him to work to avoid almost every opponent’s attempt to challenge him. He’s just a majestic player evolving off the ground.
Defensively, there is absolutely no way around the fact that Beasley looks suspect. Even when he tries to put in a legit effort, he looks unfocused--almost completely lost-- constantly out of position, and too often caught with his hand in the cookie jar gambling for steals. He doesn’t always put in that legit effort, though, as it’s not rare to see him looking a bit lazy running the floor to get back, particularly in transition situations. Again, some scouts will shake their heads at these types of things, while others will chalk it up to youth and inexperience.
Beasley has just been bigger, stronger, quicker and more explosive than all of his opponents so far, allowing him to absolutely dominate the offensive glass. But he’s also stood out nicely with the terrific coordination he possesses, as well as with his awesome hands and reaction time. As a small forward in the league, he'll be a plus rebounder, but if he's slotted at the 4, it may take some adjustment to playing against elite athletes that are taller or bulkier than him.
