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Are Michael Beasley and the Memphis Grizzlies a Match?

By Michael Dunlap

Nov 5, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley (8) shoots against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Heat beat the Raptors 104-95. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley (8) shoots against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Heat beat the Raptors 104-95. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Memphis Grizzlies and Michael Beasley agreed to a non-guaranteed contract on Tuesday, which means he’ll still have to beat out others to earn the last spot on the Grizzlies roster. With that said, his competition doesn’t read like an All-Star roster, with Patrick Christopher, Luke Hancock, Kalin Lucas, Hassan Whiteside and Earl Clark. Assuming Beasley wins that last spot, will he prove to be a good match for the “Grit and Grind” Grizzlies?

NO OFFENSE, BUT THERE’S NO DEFENSE (AND THAT’S OK)

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At a long 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, you’d think Beasley would be able to play mediocre defense if he just gave it some effort. Then again, he’s been on the Miami Heat twice, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns and has never made a commitment to defense. With that said, there’s no reason to assume things will be different now — and that’s OK.

Remember O.J. Mayo? He wasn’t exactly an elite defender and only reached “serviceable” in his final season (2011-12) with the Grizzlies. It’s hard to not be decent when you’re surrounded by high-quality defensive guards and a rim protector. Mayo was there for one reason — to provide scoring. In Mayo’s last season, he came off the bench and scored 12.6 points with 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Vince Carter was brought in to play the Mayo role as the first scorer off the bench, but Beasley could provide an additional punch that the Grizzlies have been lacking for years.

Beasley wasn’t brought in because they think he might be a defensive stalwart. He was brought in because he’s still only 25 years old and quietly had a solid season for the Miami Heat in 2013-14. His raw numbers were down, but his per-36 minute averages of 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game were solid. He shot 49.9 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from three and 77.2 percent from the foul line.

If Beasley can provide those kinds of numbers for the Grizzlies, they’ll look right past his porous defense.

FILLING A NEED

Michael Beasley
Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley (8) reacts on the free throw line during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the 2014 NBA Finals at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

A year ago, the Grizzlies worst offensive position (judged by efficiency rating) was at the small forward, where they managed to collectively put up a 12.0 PER. Their worst defensive position was the power forward, where they allowed opponents an above-average 16.9 PER. With Beasley’s size and speed, he can help in both of those areas.

Even the most unrealistic Beasley supporter knows he’s not a starter at this point in his career, but the fact that he’s still very young and still talented means the opportunity is there — especially with the aging Tayshaun Prince currently holding down that spot. Prince is 34 years old at this point and although he was solid defensively, he put up a ::gasp:: 8.2 PER at the small forward last season.

I’m not going so far as to say Beasley will rocket past Carter or Quincy Pondexter on the depth chart right away, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Beasley works his way into the rotation. The offensive upside is just too much to ignore.

BEST CASE SCENARIO

The best the Grizzlies can hope for is that Beasley continues to mature as a person and a player and realizes that it benefits him more to be aggressive offensively in his opportunities. The fact is — Beasley isn’t a guy who blends in. He’s a guy who needs to be featured when he’s on the court and has to be involved if he’s going to be engaged.

When engaged, he’s remarkably difficult to guard. As we all know, getting Beasley consistently engaged has been the issue. None of his coaches have been able to do it. The times when Beasley has “succeeded” the most has been when he’s been given a ton of rope.

I’d love to see Dave Joerger and the Grizzlies allow Beasley to be Beasley at times. Getting him some confidence and swagger can only pay positive dividends. If he goes out there and struggles, there was so little risk involved that nobody is going to be worse off.

This move is a classic low risk/high reward play by the Grizzlies. Beasley fits a specific need and here’s to hoping Joerger is able to get the most out of Beasley and puts him in the best position to succeed.

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