Talking Points: Spo and Beasley

The door to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's office at AmericanAirlines Arena is known to be as wide open as his playing rotation. Players seem to flow freely through both.

Forward Michael Beasley has found himself searching for answers in both the past few days. That is, both Spo's office and Spo's rotation. While Beasley's inconsistent playing time in recent days has been well chronicled, a bit more light was shed on the player-coach interaction after Sunday's practice.

Spoelstra said he has met exclusively with Beasley twice in the past two days to talk about where the talented-but-still-inconsistent starting small power forward has come up short in the rotation late in games. Spoelstra said he also spoke with Jermaine O'Neal recently to "keep the communication going before you see any type of thing that might be going wrong."

While Beasley's playing time is probably the last subject Spoelstra wants to discuss during the Heat's otherwise hot start, he understands that it's a delicate situation.

He's also aware that it's a topic that Heat fans and followers have feasted on like a Thanksgiving turkey the past few day. Spoelstra sounds as if he sympathizes with those among the fan base who want to see Beasley, the No. 2 overall pick and the roster's VP of relevance, given every opportunity to blossom in his second season and first as the assumed full-time starter.

But Spoelstra was also mindful to remind anyone within earshot Sunday that Beasley was, is and probably will be for some time a work in progress.

"We talked the other day, and I worked him out yesterday," Spoelstra said of the one-on-one touch he's extended to Beasley through this process. "The thing about it is - the hard thing for fans and media to objectively evaluate, because everybody wants it to happen right now (in) the whole microwave society - Mike is doing a lot of good things. He's making progress."

Spoelstra went on to say that it's a shame that the only story that gets told is that Beasley hasn't been finishing games recently. But what it boils down to is this: Despite all of the offseason improvement with Beasley's game and frame, he's still haunted at times by the same demons that hounded him last year.

Defense. The concepts. The focus. The execution. Those are all things he's being held accountable for. As mentioned in a previous blog topic, it's pretty obvious that Beasley gets three quarters to develop and show that he can be counted on in the fourth. Once the fourth quarter arrives, the focus is exclusively on winning.

Beasley, speaking on the subject for the first time since his second-half playing time has dwindled, said Sunday that he's "not doing everything I'm supposed to do" to stay on the court in crunch time. Both Spoelstra and Beasley seem determined to not let this ordeal become a bigger issue. Especially since the team is enjoying quite a bit of success early in the season. Is Mike being held to a higher standard of accountability than some others? Perhaps so. Is it fair? Probably not.

But here's what both should understand. Even in prosperity, Beasley's playing time is going to be a hot topic of discussion. Part of the reason is because of his lofty draft status. Another factor is that the Heat made Beasley's offseason development a huge, public priority. You were told to expect great strides. You've been getting 10 minutes a game in the second half.

You have to assume this thing is going to work out. Beasley is too talented to be excluded at the end of games. He'll eventually earn his playing time in the fourth. Knowing this team, my guess is that Beasley's second-half minutes will increase big-time in Tuesday against Washington to make it seem as if this all was much ado about nothing. At the end of the day, there is no debating whether Michael Beasley is one of the best five players on this team.

He's just got a little bit more work to do, apparently, to be one of the final five at the finish.

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Comments

[hotleo20]

b.s.

[pugtv]

BULL SH_T!!!

[d2183]

With Beasley on the court for the season the Heat are +38, with Haslem -9.

Beasley and that starting lineup routinely buildup huge leads only to have Haslem and Spo's 4th quarter lineups allow the other team back into the game.

Our offense looks like a whole different team with Beasley on the floor, every player is capable of beating their man and scoring. With Haslem they barely cover him and he's still afraid to even dribble.

[jpejeff]

Riley should tell Spro that he is good enough to coach the 1st quarter as head coach,but not the last.Also in the 2nd and and beginning of the 4th, I want you to assist Askin.Wallace your editor should tell you that you doing a great job writing 1st paragraghs but I cant let you wright the last because your writing is
not there yet.Pugtv you hit it right on the head.

[lequeenLames]

notice how wallace started sayingf (the heat small forward)lmao so beasley is a 3 now lol Fail

[Rick E]

What is everyone whining about? We're 5-1 right now. Clearly Spo is doing something right.

[hotleo20]

What is everyone whining about? We're 5-1 right now. Clearly Spo is doing something right.

Posted by: Rick E | November 08, 2009 at 08:30 PM

because 5-1 is not perfection and our rotation is going to catch up with us so we need to fix it now. it's called fixing an issue before it becomes a problem.

[bball fan]

There is more to this story than what we know. No matter what the scenario there is an excuse for Beasley not to play. It goes back to last season when Halsem was injured and he still did not play. Close game or blowout Spo finds some lame excuse.

[Jesse]

SPO! YOU SUCK!! lol How can you bench someone that at times demands double team and keep a liability in his place?

[Jesse]

Leequeen James I agree with you about Mike Wallace haha! He just got EXPOSED haha!

[Ed E Jones]

Leequeen James I agree with you about Mike Wallace haha! He just got EXPOSED haha!

Posted by: Jesse | November 08, 2009 at 09:37 PM

LOL ha! I know Wallace loves Haslem. Beasley finally realizes he has a scrub playing more minutes than him. Beasley's about to pull an Iverson. This whole situation is a joke to any non biased person. Yes I love the fact the heat is 5-1, but I stick up for the underdog. Beasley got pulled when Spo EMPHATICALLY called a timeout because Beaz gave up a point in the Nuggets game down low, Haslem leaves his man wide open for a jumper in the fourth and its business as usual. This is bleeping ridic. Haslem is a god to Spo, which is a shame. Spo was gushing when talking about Haslem after the Denver game. This whole situation is SICK. Go Heat!

[Alex]

If the Heat were playing Beasley in the 4th, they'd be 2-4 right now. They'd finish the season around 35-47. Wade won't be happy.

But that's ok cuz you guys will, right?

Get that .... outta here.

[d2183]

Which player is in the game when the Heat builds up the huge leads? Beasley

Which player is in during the 4th when the other team has ALWAYS got back into the game and our offense becomes non-existent? Haslem

It's becoming a joke. The opposing D doesn't even have to guard Haslem and that completely shuts down our offense that looks amazing when Beasley is in.

[Alex]

Yeah, Beasley's 12ppg have opposing teams gearing their entire defense towards him.

I won't even mention his defensive prowess.

[d2183]

Obviously Alex has not watched a Heat game this year.

With Beasley we are just a much better team, which is supported by his +38 stat. With Haslem in the game we are -9.

Teams have to defend Beasley, when Haslem is in the game they can sag off him and our whole offense goes down the drain. And Beasley's defense has been really good this season. Sorry Haslem's mom (Alex), Haslem has been in the league long enough and we know exactly what he is an average no-talen back-up.

[Jesse]

Yall dont have to worry when we lose three games in a row Spo all of a sudden is going to have an urge to spend time with his family like Van Gundy haha! Riles Riles Riles... lol

[Holla]

d2183 has beasley nutz so far down his throat, i think he's pregnant...

[Perspective]

What is really funny is that all of you think Spo's making this decision. Who do you think Wade wants by his side at the end of a game right now? Spo is in a delicate situation, make Wade made and he splits. Get pissed at Wade not Spo.

[black the trucker]

wow, i must of missed something, or what.. we're 5-1 playing a team tuesday that we should beat and everyone sounds like we just lost 5 in a row.. listen, beasley is very talented, i just don't think he a good fit here.. my opion, trading him to the wizards would be the perfect scenerio, it would bring drama to the division, it would also help with the players we got return.. this team has talent, but not enough talent.. when i say this i mean, we're a 5th or 6th seed right now, but with a move or two, we could be a 3rd or 2nd seed and the last team standing.. now the question is do you have the balls to make this happen... they're are some very good teams out and if we stay as is we won't be one of them... i say trade beasley, jones, quinn, pick to the wizards for butler, blatche, foye... then trade cook, picks and exception to the grizz for AI and thabette.. think about it, then think again...

[tradeBeasley]

Just check the stats.

http://www.82games.com/0910/0910MIA2.HTM
http://www.82games.com/0910/0910MIA1.HTM

I agree, Beasley is not a good fit. He merely makes our starting unit so much better than Haslem. Yeah he isn't a good fit and he must be benched so we can play Haslem and struggle with our starting unit.

Trade Beasley to a team that wants him.

[Greg Gembe]

Butler's a player, Blatche is having an OK year, Foye hasn't impressed me at all.

Instead of wholesale lineup changes, how about Butler for Beasley straight up? Certainly, the Wizards are scratching their head wondering why Beas isn't being treated like the god he is, in Miami. And they would certainly love a chance to bring the homeboy back to DC where he attended half of the schools in the district, at one point in his life.

5-1 and we are consumed with coach-hating and pooping on Haslem's efforts.

Great win Friday -- I don't care who plays what minutes! Keep doin' the d*mn thing, SPO.

[white the trucker]

that boy black the trucker is retarded

[heatstroked]

Just check the stats.... Posted by: tradeBeasley | November 09, 2009 at 10:50 AM

---

We have.

Confirmed: Beasley's Jumper eFG%, Rebounding Player Rating, Hands Rating, Passing Rating are all slightly lower this year now that Beasley is starting with/against starters.

Confirmed: Beasley's defense -- including Opposing eFG% at the 4 (PF), Opposing PER at the 4, Shot Block Rating -- is noticeably and notably improved according to defensive numbers maintained @ 82g (82games.com) *and* BR (basketball-reference.com).

Confirmed: Beasley's current defense against opposing 4s in the *key* areas of Opposing eFG% and Opposing PER is currently superior to Haslem's.

Confirmed: Beasley's current defense against opposing 4s in the *key* areas of Opposing eFG% and Opposing PER is also superior to Haslem's when Haslem was the starting 4 in 2008-09.

Confirmed: According to 82g, Beasley has *no* clutch stats because Beasley has played *zero* clutch minutes.

Confirmed: Any assertion that Beasley's "effective" defense against opposing 4s is *inferior* to Haslem's is currently *unsupported* by aggregate data maintained at BR and/or gamecharting data at 82g.

Assertion: This fan has *zero* complaints regarding Spo's rotation or management therein. However, if Spo intends (or continues) to use Beasley's late-game offensive or defensive efficiency as issues/excuses for Beasley's late-game absence(s), he'll have to give Beasley late-game minutes first.

[Greg Gembe]

Wow, that's alot of statistic spouting. I've followed basketball, coached, played since the 70's and have NO idea what goes into measuring eFG%. What kind of selective stats do they put into that? Heatstroked, give us some info on those stats that you threw out. I'm sure the Heat keep more stats than your source and stats that are more pertinent to teh Heat, than the ones you just spewed. How do you measure help defense? What if you force a player to take a bad shot? Do you count every contested shot?

Here's a stat:

Championship Warrior: Haslem - 1

Wandering Adolescent: supercoolbeas - 1

[white the trucker]

Greg Gembe, you just shot down heatstroked's claim with a fallacy, you cant add that haslem is a champion and beasley is a wandering adolescent in your claim because it has nothing to do with the argument. You don't understand eFG% so you disclaim that stat instead of doing some research in finding the meaning of it, overall you fail dude.

[Greg Gembe]

Whew, that hurts, when your approval was all I ever needed in life.

I wasn't trying to shoot down anyone's claim, just inquiring about the relevancy of the stats.

Maybe you can explain the eFG% and what hand-picked stats go into it.

You can find stats that say the world has actually cooled since the mid-90's, but that doesn't stop the cap (tax) and trade movement.

You don't have to be very knowledgeable about the NBA to know the Haslem is a better defender than Beas. That is really just an easy statement that even the 'drafters' on this blog will admit.

[heatstroked]

"I've followed basketball, coached, played since the 70's and have NO idea what goes into measuring eFG%..."

---

Gosh. There are so many things I've experienced but don't completely understand that I couldn't even begin to enumerate. Which doesn't make the incomprehensible any less real, relevant or important. I often fly on airplanes. I can't explain aerodynamic lift or the Bernoulli effect. Maybe I should get off my a$$ and make the effort.

From BR [http://bit.ly/2WMtoI ]: eFG% - Effective Field Goal Percentage; the formula is (FG + 0.5 * 3P) / FGA. This statistic adjusts for the fact that a 3-point field goal is worth one more point than a 2-point field goal. For example, suppose Player A goes 4 for 10 with 2 threes, while Player B goes 5 for 10 with 0 threes. Each player would have 10 points from field goals, and thus would have the same effective field goal percentage (50%)

===

"What kind of selective stats do they put into that?"

---

Lemme guess. "They" only "select" stats that make Beasley look good and Haslem look bad?

It's increasingly apparent Beasley-hating, like Beasleyphilia, is also & increasingly pathological, obsessive, even delusional -- with manifestations of paranoia.

Otherwise, the "numbers" cited speak for themselves. "The numbers" *don't* define or explain *every* contribution made by players to the success (or failures) of their teams. No one EVER said they did.

The numbers *do*, however, quantify & qualify what can be readily counted, measured or compared of any player by, between, with or against any other player/players. It's that simple.

To wit, the numbers confirm Beasley is still adjusting to his offensive role as a starter with & against other starters. The numbers also suggest Beasley the starter has improved his individual defense against starting opposing 4s -- and is currently defending opposing 4s more effectively (eFG%, PER) than Haslem did last season.

It's well known the Heat maintain their own evaluation system for players. That system and it's data is presumably proprietary & as far as I know, private. If the Heat's internal data contraindicates Beasley's defensive improvement as a starter, fine.

However, if they're publicly making or stating such a case to "explain" Beasley absence (or presence) at certain times -- as Spo recently and vaguely alluded to in the context of closing out games -- it's Spo's burden to prove else accept public skepticism and/or publicly available data (BR, 82g etc) that suggests otherwise.

As I've stated before and elsewhere, I had ZERO problems with Beasley's role/minutes last year, ZERO problems with Beasley's absence/presence to close out games this season like I have ZERO problems with a 5-1 start.

I'm a Heat fan first. Never a Beasleyphile and never a Beasley "hater" despite lingering questions regarding his maturity and commitment.

But the Heat MUST keep their stories "straight", factual, consistent and impartial else squander precious credibility if/when *real* problems arise.

[white the trucker]

Greg Gembe, your just old and stubborn

[black the trucker]

well!, no need for all that, all i'm saying is, with two moves like that, you sure up the 1st and 2nd units for this season and still will be able to sign some free agents in the off season... wow, am i the only one thinking of how to get better or is everyone ok with just 5-1...

[black the trucker]

starter; AI, wade, butler, blatche, o'neil;;; then; charlmers, foye, qrich, haslem, thabeet,,,;; then wright, aroyyo, daiwara, anthony, maglore... defense, defense, defense,, and scoring...

[redbaby]

Come on Mike you know Beas is being given the shaft by the Heat coaching staff. His minutes will increase when they go 500 over the next 10 games. Do you think that Cavs, Lakers or the Thunder worried about "defensive lapses" with LeBron, Kobe or Durant. Or the Clippers will worry about any lapses that Griffin may have? Absolutely not. Supremely talented athletes like Beasley don't need all those stupid play books to be great on the court. They know instinctively what and creatively what to do when faced with opposition. Spo's trying to take a card out of Riley's motivational book and it ain't workin because he's not Riley and this is 2009 and 1988. Get real and play Beasley the WHOLE game.

[jeatme]

Lol Haslem a championship PF, then Antoine Walker is a championship SF.

Haslem is the least talented PF going. There's a reason our offense goes cold everytime he's in the game.

[JDOGTHEDOG]

Haha!! Everyone talking about formulas and he talks abour ridiculous trades hahaha! blackthetrucker has to be the stupidest son of bitchhh alive, but he sure is funny lol!