“It’s only basketball” is the common theme when teams lose key games. At times it is a nothing more than an excuse to get through the sting of defeat, but this season the Miami Heat have proved that their off-the-court responsibilities are just as important.
The team has shown that through their concern for Goran Dragic’s wife after complications following her pregnancy, continuously communicating and supporting Chris Bosh and assistant coach Keith Smart while dealing with life-threatening events and reaching out to show concern for former one-year cornerstone Lamar Odom as he battled with the results of his alleged addictions. Regardless of if you are in the team’s past or present, it is just part of the Heat culture to take care of people that were their own.
Such was the case when they gave their former No. 2 draft pick Michael Beasley three chances to showcase his potential. First it was with a less than patient Dwyane Wade, then LeBron James’ nonsense approach to leading that still causes young players to shy away, then again with the pressure of having to help fill in, last season, for Bosh’s 21 points and seven rebounds.
Sometimes win-now is just too much, which is why there was no doubt that Beasley would not be returning to Biscayne Bay when the Heat had two roster spots open. That was obvious this past offseason when the team passed on re-signing the forward for cheap and subsequently saw him Instagram “Goodbye, Miami, Florida. Wish that I can say it’s been real.”
What is real is the way he has been performing as a Houston Rocket.
Playing for a team that has nothing to lose, as they fight for a playoff spot, has reignited the reigning Chinese Basketball Association MVP’s game in the States.
In Miami, he always seemed hesitant like he was too scared to screw things up. Lisa Salters revealed that much when she said that Beasley believes “the Houston players believe in him and he’s not afraid to mess up.” So much so that he is the second highest scorer for the Rockets since March, thriving off of rebounding and being able to create his own shot. He’s giving James Harden one person he doesn’t have to make shots for.
Beasley is thriving with his 14 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, proving that the Heat culture can be great, but the structured-to-a-tee regimen does not work for everybody.
