Michael Beasley is now a member of the New York Knicks and, after just a few short weeks in the Big Apple, the former No. 2 overall pick already has a self-anointed nickname that is absolutely tremendous. Now, though, the 2017-2018 season is almost here and reality is setting in with regard to Beasley operating his one-of-a-kind game and off-court style in the country’s largest market.
One such example came this week when Ian Begley of ESPN caught up with Beasley for a delightful and wide-ranging interview. There are a number of highlights worth rehashing but the headliner is probably that the former Kansas State star and NBA journeyman believes that he is “your favorite player’s favorite player.”
“I’m still young, bro. I’m 28. I plan to play at least until I’m 43. So you do the math. My career is like none other, I think. I’ve wanted to be [at a high level] so long, but this or that, whether my fault or someone else’s fault, kept me [at a lower level]. I still think I have a chance to be one of the best in the NBA. I’m your favorite player’s favorite player. And it’s not enough for me for him to know that. I want the world to know that. So I’m still working hard as if I can be the best ever. If you doubt it, if you don’t believe it, it will just make my story that much better.”
Beasley has never lacked for confidence and it also jumps off the page that he “plans” to play for 15 more seasons and into his early 40’s. On one hand, Beasley has been sneakily effective on the offensive end in recent years. On the other, it seems like an annual adventure to see where he will land from a contract standpoint, throwing a potential wrench in his plan to make it to the 2030’s before retiring.
Still, Beasley told Begley that he is “not as bad a defender as you say I am” and he even compared his game to Carmelo Anthony “on the left side of the floor.”
“If you watch my game, really watch my game, my jab series, all that, I’m literally just Carmelo on the left side of the floor,” Beasley said. “Like I’ve known Carmelo since I was 13 years old, one of my best friends, one of the best players I’ve ever met. Me and him are from the same area. I can’t wait to play with him.”
To be fair to Beasley, former Wolves GM David Kahn posited that Beasley could be ready to replace Anthony should the All-Star find a buyout and a new home but it is another thing entirely for the player to make the direct comparison. The notion that Beasley still believes that he could be “the best ever” is quite interesting in itself and, if nothing else, we can all enjoy the Michael Beasley experience on a prominent stage this season.
