The top prospects spoke to the media this afternoon and the biggest buzz is about who Miami will end up with Thursday night. Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo and Jerryd Bayless each thinks they could land in Miami, presuming Derrick Rose is taken first by the Bulls.
Rose was quite humble about being taken first and made a point to say he would not be unhappy if he fell No. 2 to Miami.
Beasley is quite a character and seemed relaxed, finding a way to inject his humor into several answers. Predictably he was asked several questions about his supposed maturity and character issues.
The Beasley show:
*While trying to work his way through the media crush to get to his assigned table, he said playfully: "I can't get through. I feel like Moses. Hey, who knocked down my name card?"
*He told a story about how he did not come to Miami prepared for wet weather, and wound up caught in the rain. "My socks got wet!"
*On whether he should grow up: "I'm a kid. I don't want to grow up too fast. I'm not 25."
*On whether needs to change and what he says to people who say he should mature: "Why change? I think they need to smile more."
*One of his close friends is lottery prospect and UCLA forward Kevin Love. They had a funny exchange as Beasley left his media session and Love entered. Beasley inquired about hanging out and asked, "What are you doing tomorrow?" Love responded: "Getting drafted." Beasley also mentioned that he had lost his room key.
Mayo's take: He said that his Heat workout was the most fast-paced and intense of all the individual workouts he did leading up to the draft. He said he got only one water break and did lots of running. Beasley said his Heat workout also involved lots of running. Mayo said he did not realize he was working out with coach Erik Spoelstra because the 37-year-old looked so young. Mayo thought he was a team trainer until a good way through the session.
Mayo said he is very capable of being a point guard in the NBA, but mentioned that if he ends up with the Heat he would probably share ball-handling duties with Dwyane Wade.
Bayless' view: Although he primarily played shooting guard in college, Bayless said he will be a point guard in the NBA. He said he thinks he would fit real well with Wade.
It's gotta be M Beas!!! c'mon Pat, do the right thing.
If there is any chance at landing a second lottery pick this could be the best Heat draft ever.
Bayless
Wade
Wright
Beasley
C ?
Seems strange the amount of effort Riles is putting into a smokescreen if it is true he covets Beasley!?
9/11 was an inside job
checkout wtc7.net & watch the collapse videos
learn the truth
Posted by: Shawn | June 25, 2008 at 05:26 PM
At this point, I think Riley is trying to stir opposing GMs into a frenzy, hoping that one of them will give up the farm for Beasley.
When all is said and done, though, I don't think the Heat are going to get an enticing enough offer to justify trading away Beasley, and he will be on the Heat squad next year.
Posted by: CSG | June 25, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Agreed. It's probably all just leverage. The rumoured trade with memphis for the no.5 pick seems the most feasable, but I'd tend to think that the Wolves would take mayo at no.3. I agree and think that Beasley will be on the Heat's roster.
Posted by: BJS | June 25, 2008 at 08:22 PM
If Riley trades the #2 Pick for Mayo or whomever, I will never follow the Heat again. Riley should be letting his coach? worry about handling Beasley. Riley has never been good with developing young talent--instead of celebrating a great #2 pick, it's become the Riley show. What a f'n ego! What a f'n bore! He should RETIRE before he is FIRED!
Posted by: Redbaby | June 25, 2008 at 08:30 PM
If Riley trades the #2 Pick for Mayo or whomever, I will never follow the Heat again. Riley should be letting his coach? worry about handling Beasley. Riley has never been good with developing young talent--instead of celebrating a great #2 pick, it's become the Riley show. What a f'n ego! What a f'n bore! He should RETIRE before he is FIRED!
Posted by: Redbaby | June 25, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Talk about crazy...
http://probasketballnews.com/amico_062508.html
Miami drafts Mayo...then trades him.
Posted by: HighHeat | June 25, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Man at this point it sounds like they're just dealing to deal. If they trade this pick i might cry.
Posted by: Michael F | June 25, 2008 at 11:28 PM
It's true. Riley wants attention again. There's no purpose for the idiotic crap that he's pulling. he has made a sure pick at no. 2 where there are 2 projected superstars and one will be gone when he picks into Calculus. for those saying he's doing this to get the most for beasley, wouldn't he instead be acting like he can't do without beasley so teams will see that they have to offer a heck of a package to get the kid? i think, honestly, that he really don't know who he's going to pick. he's over-thinking it just like he did the Daequan Cook pick. not looking for hidden jewels and takes what's available. If beasley fails, then so what, he'll still be serviceable in the East or you can still get trades for him because of his "potential". i wish we had a competent GM/President who wouldn't worry the fans so much, because the fans don't trust his work.
Posted by: Riley'sanIdiot | June 26, 2008 at 12:28 PM