Defensive Awareness: Beasley

[jagu]

I think this gif is a great example of why Beasley is a seriously flawed defensive player. I will say that Scola should have guarded Bosh on this play (he looked like he thought Chalmers was passing it to Lebron for the 3) first and foremost and Gortat should have prevented Chalmers from cutting the corner on him. Dragic did a great job of getting around the Bosh screen and the Gortat screen and his defensive prowess is on display in this gif.

Take a look at Beasley's lack of defensive awareness in this video. Is it laziness? Is it a poor understanding of basketball? Is it horrible reaction skills? Is it a combination of all of this? Beasley should have been there with Scola to contest this easy score by Bosh. Beasley was no where near Bosh, even though he was just a few feet away before the ball even left Chalmers' hand. For a person with immense athleticism he could have even made a good attempt at stealing that pass before it even reached Bosh's hands if he had the IQ of a basketball player.

Bottom line? Beasley isn't going to be a star in the NBA. He will have a long career with a few shining moments but nothing of consistency. He has the athleticism but basketball is a mixture of IQ+ athleticism. He, like Earl Clark and others, simply doesn't have it.

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[95pro]

scola shouldn't have left bosh regardless of where the ball went. that left beasley 2 on 1. you let the guy with the higher chance of missing be open and shoot, instead of leaving a 7' bosh wide open for a dunk/layup. the next step was to block out and go for the rebound.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I think this gif is a great example of why Beasley is a seriously flawed defensive player.

Have to disagree mainly because it isn't showing the play in full speed where he is given a split second decision between guarding 2 guys. Also he appears to glance over at Bosh and is probably thinking that Scola is going to stay on him so he stays with his man. Not saying I think Beasley is any good on defense, but I wouldn't use this gif as a "great example" that he isn't.

 

[Errntknght]

I suppose that's the way the coaches want them to play the high pick and roll but I think if the screener is going to be left so free his man (Gortat) has to stay with the play and prevent a pass into the middle. Putting his head down and chasing after his man is useless - stay between the ball and rim and back away until you're in position to pick him up again.

Scola's actions are more baffling - it looks like he was carrying out some pre-conceived manuever - like a momentary check and retreat. He was in good position to cut Bosh off but it appears he thought a quick check would be enough to deter the pass.

Granted Beasley didn't seem to aware of what was happening either and with two men to guard he chose to guard neither - his man could have scored almost as easily as Bosh did. But still, in this case, Scola's defense was even worse - though I've seen the team make similar plays other times so I'm inclined to blame the coaches.

 

[jagu]

I just found this play to be poor as a whole (mainly Scola) and it's evident how out of the game Beasley is. It's not just this play, it's who he is.

 

[jagu]

Have to disagree mainly because it isn't showing the play in full speed where he is given a split second decision between guarding 2 guys. Also he appears to glance over at Bosh and is probably thinking that Scola is going to stay on him so he stays with his man. Not saying I think Beasley is any good on defense, but I wouldn't use this gif as a "great example" that he isn't.

I think a good defensive player recognizes this much faster (which was the main point). Beasley looked confused up until Bosh was about inches away from dunking the ball. Look at how he continues to nonchalantly backpedal even after the pass is made to Bosh? Pretty ugly defense or lack of accountability. He's definitely not the type of player you want when developing a championship roster.

 

[BC867]

I would applaud Alvin Gentry for, right now, making these changes at the wing positions.

Shooting Guard -- Shannon Brown/Michael Beasley
Small Forward -- Jared Dudley/PJ Tucker

-- Let Brown emerge as a consistent scorer.

-- Take the pressure off Beasley by lowering expectations.
If he cannot fulfill the role of one dimensional Shooting
Guard in a reasonable period of time, move him to the
bench permanently.

-- Let Dudley play his natural position and see if he can be
consistent.

-- Take advantage of Tucker's excitement.

STARTING UNIT:

PG - Dragic
SG - Brown
SF - Dudley
PF - Scola
C - Gortat

OFF THE BENCH:

PG - Telfair
SG - Beasley
SF - Tucker/Johnson
PF - Morris
C - O'Neal

RESERVE/DEVELOPMENT:

PG - Marshall
SG - Garrett
C - Zeller

Other posters have probably made references to some of this.

Why wait? Show Beasley he has to $hit or get off the pot now!

 

[JCSunsfan]

I agree, there is no reason for patience with Beasley. He has a new opportunity here, he can choose to make something of it or not. There is no "developing" he has to do.

Aw, who am I kidding. Its just not going to happen. I would be thinking of an exit strategy for Beasley right now.

 

[Phrazbit]

I dont think Beasley should be a shooting guard, it would just compound his defensive ineptitude and result in even more loooong jumpers. Ideally he should come off the bench playing the 3 and occasionally 4 more. When he gets the ball he virtually never gives it up, and giving him the ball closer to the interior would (hopefully) result in more efficient scoring looks than the long jumpers he is in love with right now, and he would also have mismatches athletically on most occasions, especially when going against the oppositions 2nd unit. But with Scola and Morris I dont see him getting many minutes down there.

He does need to drastically improve his play, or it wont be long before he finds himself on the bench in one capacity or another. Too bad NBA contracts are guaranteed. We luck out and get an amnesty provision to dump Childress, then turn around and sign an equally useless player for the exact same money.