Minnesota Timberwolves Michael Beasley is too good for Derrick Williams to cross– NBA Special Report
Ever since Derrick Williams was drafted as the No.2 by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft, people have started to make comparisons between him and the third year Minnesota small forward
Michael Beasley.
Different fans have different views but as far as I am concerned, the comparison between the two forwards is not justified.
For starters, there is no doubt both players were picked second overall, but I still believe the second pick fact does not justify the Williams - Beasley comparison. With the lockout looming large, this year’s Draft was considered
one of the weakest since the NBA Drafts of 2000. Had it been more competitive, Derrick Williams would have landed somewhere below his current position.
Secondly if we compare both forward’s college career, Michael Beasley ended his collegiate tenure with 26.2 points per game (ppg) average, the third highest average that year. Beasley’s rebound (rpg) average of 12.4 also the best
and that was his freshman year. Beasley finished his college career breaking Carmelo Anthony’s record of 22 double-doubles with 28 to his name. How could Derrick Williams even come close to Michael Beasley is a question I would like to ask all those considering
Williams as a better player.
As a freshman at Arizona State University, Derrick Williams averaged 15.7 ppg – seems like a joke in front of Beasley’s 26.2 ppg. D-Will was awarded a freshmen All-American and a Pac-10 freshmen of the Year. How cool is that! We’ll
do not get excited just yet. Hear out Michael Beasley’s awards and honours list first.
As a freshman at Kansas State, Michael Beasley was honoured with the McDonald's All-American Game MVP. In the following season, Beasley once again proved he was worthy and was elected into the NCAA All-American First Team. In the
same season, he won the Pete Newell Big Man Award followed by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Freshman of the Year Award. And that’s not it; he was also bestowed upon with the Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of
the Year Award, his biggest honour as a freshman, right before drafting his name in the 2008 Drafts.
During his rookie year, Michael Beasley made his way into the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Enthralled yet? If not, you will be soon.
Michael Beasley, in his debut at the NBA Summer League 2008, scored 28 points with 9 rebounds and 2 assists – all this in just 23 minutes of game play. What a start. In the Summer League, Beasley’s rebound average was the second
highest while his point scored average tied third.
Enter NBA official season.
Drafted in by the Miami Heat, the 2008-09 regular season was a true challenge for the emerging star. He faced NBA teams and All-Star players for the first time.
What pressure, right? Wrong.
The Heat’ rookie, other than the first game, scored double digits in 9 games including his season high score of 25 points. In the following season, Beasley once again played a major role. He led his team to a tremendous victory
over the Memphis Grizzlies scoring his career high 30 points and 8 rebounds. But soon, the Big Three arrived at the South Beach and Beasley had to make way for LeBron James. He went to Minnesota Timberwolves.
Even at Minnesota, Beasley never let his guard down and with Kevin Love, he proved to be the only other bright spot in the Twin Cities franchise.
Beasley has been a match winning player throughout his career and he is one player who can become an All-Star if his skills are utilized properly. Derrick Williams is undoubtedly a classy player in his own right, but saying that
he will turn out to be a better player than Beasley is an overstatement.
Beasley’s ball handling skills, his three point shots, his defensive abilities, and most importantly the scoring threat he presents are all things one cannot let go. Michael Beasley’s charm is simply too much to ignore.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in the article are the writer’s own personal views and has nothing to do with bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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