Michael Beasley's growing pains

It's to be expected that forward Michael Beasley would have an up-and-down rookie season. The biggest challenges for him are defense and avoiding foul trouble. He picked up three early fouls in Wednesday's loss to Toronto and wound up playing a career-low 12 minutes. (Pictured left: Beasley's reaction after picking up his second foul 72 seconds into Wednesday's game). The night before he played 16 minutes and scored a career-low 6 points in the Heat's win against the Wizards.

There's no reason to skewer the kid. He's 19 years old and certainly will improve this season. No matter how he has performed he has willing to answer questions pre- and post-game and seems to be taking the highs and lows with stride. Through 12 games he is averaging 14.7 points and 5.5 rebounds. In the last five games his playing time has decreased to 24.2 minutes a game, while fellow rookie, point guard Mario Chalmers, is averaging 28.6 minutes in that span.

What are you thoughts on Beasley's performance so far this season?

Comments

[JESSE]

This is BULL*&^T SPOLTRA get your head out of Riley's balls and play the kid and post him up!! he is way quicker than all the 4's guarding him and his shooting touch is awesome! Run breaks but in half court sets there is no reason why him and dwayne are not playing an inside out game! Even Marion will thrive in this kind of play! Our coach is a lame Riley Dik puller....

[shawn]

seriously spo is too hard on the kid he need s to learn by being out there not sitting on the bench and why hasnt any reporter ask him whats his problem hes the number 2 pick he shouldnt be sitting sometimes spo make stupid coaching decisions

[David]

The Heat need a big man that plays like a big man. The sooner the better. After this occurs Beasly and Company will all benefit. I would release Blount immediately and eat the salary

[Franz]

Beasley should be played, spoelstra is like a younger riley damn, i wish we had SVG who had all the confidence in the world to play rooks.

[vernellcoles]

We need Beasley's size - substituting Cook for Beasley makes an undersized team super-undersized. While Cook has been playing well, we simply need to have more size on the court for rebounding and interior defense. Beasley has tremendous talent and should get more minutes than he has been playing lately.

[vernellcoles]

We need Beasley's size - substituting Cook for Beasley makes an undersized team super-undersized. While Cook has been playing well, we simply need to have more size on the court for rebounding and interior defense. Beasley has tremendous talent and should get more minutes than he has been playing lately.

[vernellcoles]

We need Beasley's size - substituting Cook for Beasley makes an undersized team super-undersized. While Cook has been playing well, we simply need to have more size on the court for rebounding and interior defense. Beasley has tremendous talent and should get more minutes than he has been playing lately.

[vernellcoles]

We need Beasley's size - substituting Cook for Beasley makes an undersized team super-undersized. While Cook has been playing well, we simply need to have more size on the court for rebounding and interior defense. Beasley has tremendous talent and should get more minutes than he has been playing lately.

[vernellcoles]

We need Beasley's size - substituting Cook for Beasley makes an undersized team super-undersized. While Cook has been playing well, we simply need to have more size on the court for rebounding and interior defense. Beasley has tremendous talent and should get more minutes than he has been playing lately.

[Alexander]

Where are the rebounds???? This kid was one of the leading rebounders (or "the" leading rebounder, no?) in college last year. Is this all he's going to turn in?? I know he's only a rookie, but am I to believe that he can grow into a ten rebound performer from this kind of weak start? Rebounding is all about effort, and if he doesn't show that effort as a kid, he definitely won't as a vet.

[DSKZ]

Play him.

[beasy]

beaz kicks a$$

[coolman]

Beaz is da man

[coolman]

Beaz is da man