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Detroit Pistons shooting guard Malik Beasley is ready for the playoffs.
That was his closing message in the article he wrote for The Players' Tribune on Thursday, which also went into detail about Beasley arriving to Detroit via free agency after the 2023-24 season.
Beasley has been an important part of Detroit's historic turnaround, as the Pistons went from a franchise-worst 14 wins in 2023-24 to a 44-win regular season performance in 2024-25. And according to Beasley, the team's improved shooting ability has led to more success, bringing the team to its first playoffs since 2019.
Beasley called Detroit the "perfect fit" when talking about his offseason free agency last summer, saying he, along with shooters Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr., have freed up players like Cade Cunningham to flow more effectively in their offensive possessions:
"Cade is a type of player where teams are wanting to double him — but without shooting, there’s no spacing," he wrote. "Now though you got guys like Tim and Tobias and of course myself, and we’re making teams pay."
Beasley has also benefited from Detroit's offensive renaissance this season, as he set the franchise record with 319 three-pointers made over 82 games. Those 319 three pointers are also the eighth-most made in a single season in NBA history.
He also wrote that the spacing that Detroit's shooters have provided gives Cunningham more room to shoot.
"That’s one of my first memories from training camp: Just Cade saying to us, like, 'Damn. I didn’t realize the open shots I’d be getting.' I loved hearing that."
According to Beasley, it made sense to join the Pistons this season because the team was already on a successful trajectory.
Few experts saw much hope in a team that at one point lost 28 games in a row, but Beasley says he saw a team on the rise when he played with the Milwaukee Bucks last season.
"One thing people slept on, though, is how last year’s team wasn’t that bad," he wrote. "We knew the Pistons were this group of young guys who battled like hell. They made you work for what you got. They just needed to learn how to finish."
Beasley also writes that the Pistons bring a mix of young energy and veteran leadership that have put them on a winning path.
"It’s these young dudes like Jalen [Duren], Ausar [Thompson], Ron [Holland] bringing their young energy, it’s us vets bringing our vet knowledge, and it’s a feeling like we’re just getting started," he said.
Beasley grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, but writes that he feels "Detroit-raised" since his mom is from the city. And now that he's made a mark with the Pistons, he's thankful for how much Detroit has embraced him.
"Off the court, I’m just embracing the energy: from mile to mile, dropping off shoes in the neighborhoods," he wrote. "To helping this Pistons thing mean something again. I’ve made this community my own, and I feel like this community has made ME one of THEIR own."
He also writes that he's worth a long-term investment, which the Pistons may have to consider over the offseason. Beasley is currently on a one-year, $6 million contract with Detroit, a relative steal considering how valuable he's been for the team. But he will probably command a much richer contract in the offseason after his three-point breakout.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons' Malik Beasley calls the team a "perfect fit" for him
Continue reading...
That was his closing message in the article he wrote for The Players' Tribune on Thursday, which also went into detail about Beasley arriving to Detroit via free agency after the 2023-24 season.
Beasley has been an important part of Detroit's historic turnaround, as the Pistons went from a franchise-worst 14 wins in 2023-24 to a 44-win regular season performance in 2024-25. And according to Beasley, the team's improved shooting ability has led to more success, bringing the team to its first playoffs since 2019.
Credit improved shooting for Pistons turnaround
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Beasley called Detroit the "perfect fit" when talking about his offseason free agency last summer, saying he, along with shooters Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr., have freed up players like Cade Cunningham to flow more effectively in their offensive possessions:
"Cade is a type of player where teams are wanting to double him — but without shooting, there’s no spacing," he wrote. "Now though you got guys like Tim and Tobias and of course myself, and we’re making teams pay."
Beasley has also benefited from Detroit's offensive renaissance this season, as he set the franchise record with 319 three-pointers made over 82 games. Those 319 three pointers are also the eighth-most made in a single season in NBA history.
He also wrote that the spacing that Detroit's shooters have provided gives Cunningham more room to shoot.
"That’s one of my first memories from training camp: Just Cade saying to us, like, 'Damn. I didn’t realize the open shots I’d be getting.' I loved hearing that."
Beasley saw Pistons team ready to win
You must be registered for see images attach
According to Beasley, it made sense to join the Pistons this season because the team was already on a successful trajectory.
Few experts saw much hope in a team that at one point lost 28 games in a row, but Beasley says he saw a team on the rise when he played with the Milwaukee Bucks last season.
"One thing people slept on, though, is how last year’s team wasn’t that bad," he wrote. "We knew the Pistons were this group of young guys who battled like hell. They made you work for what you got. They just needed to learn how to finish."
Beasley also writes that the Pistons bring a mix of young energy and veteran leadership that have put them on a winning path.
"It’s these young dudes like Jalen [Duren], Ausar [Thompson], Ron [Holland] bringing their young energy, it’s us vets bringing our vet knowledge, and it’s a feeling like we’re just getting started," he said.
He thanks Detroit for embracing him
Beasley grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, but writes that he feels "Detroit-raised" since his mom is from the city. And now that he's made a mark with the Pistons, he's thankful for how much Detroit has embraced him.
"Off the court, I’m just embracing the energy: from mile to mile, dropping off shoes in the neighborhoods," he wrote. "To helping this Pistons thing mean something again. I’ve made this community my own, and I feel like this community has made ME one of THEIR own."
He also writes that he's worth a long-term investment, which the Pistons may have to consider over the offseason. Beasley is currently on a one-year, $6 million contract with Detroit, a relative steal considering how valuable he's been for the team. But he will probably command a much richer contract in the offseason after his three-point breakout.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons' Malik Beasley calls the team a "perfect fit" for him
Continue reading...
