New York Knicks forward Michael Beasley believes that the team can make it to the playoffs if it remains intact for the coming season. In an interview with Ian Begley of ESPN.com, Beasley said it can happen if he, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Hardaway, and Kristaps Porzingis are on the roster by the start of the season. Beasley said anyone or all four can score 25 points per game, putting them in a position not only to become a playoff team but a fifth or sixth seed in the postseason ‘if we do it right.”
A second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Beasley signed a one-year deal worth $2.1 million with the Knicks, who missed the playoffs for four straight seasons.
Beasley recently came off a solid campaign for the Milwaukee Bucks, where he averaged 9.4 points and 3.4 rebounds while playing 16.7 minutes per contest last season.
Beasley’s vision far-fetched
However, Beasley’s vision of four of them scoring 25 points each every game is far-fetched. Only Anthony, a 10-time All-Star, can produce that output since he’s averaging close to 25 points in his career. In his first two years, Porzingis averaged just 16.1 points per game. Hardaway, for his part, averaged 11.0 points in his career, while Beasley averaged just 12.6 points per game in 509 career NBA games.
Beasley also played for the Shandong Golden Stars and the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) before suiting up for the Houston Rockets and the Bucks in 2016.
Beasley’s NBA career was marred by off-court troubles, including possession and use of marijuana. During his career, he previously played for the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Rockets and the Bucks.
Beasley considers Anthony as mentor
Beasley has taken steps to get himself comfortable with his new team. One of the moves he made was to build a strong bond with Anthony, whom he considers a mentor.
According to Beasley, he hasn’t heard much from the organization about Anthony’s future, particularly about the possibility of trading him before the season begins. Begley said Beasley is expecting Anthony to remain with the team and looking forward to play with him.
The reported trade talks between the Knicks and the Rockets have been silent for weeks, leaving open the possibility that Anthony will join training camp, which will start next week. Finding a suitable trade partner is a challenge for the Knicks as Anthony holds a no-trade clause in his deal, which he’s willing to waive only for the Rockets.