Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde: Who Is the Real Michael B

Date: Monday, March 8, 2010

After increasing his scoring average from 14.2 points in November to 17.3 points in December, it looked like Michael Michael BeasleyBeasley was really coming into his own in his second season. 

Then his numbers dipped slightly to 16.4 ppg in January and even more in February—13.5 ppg. 

It seems every time Beasley looks to be turning the corner as a professional athlete, we are again reminded he's a 21-year-old kid who two months ago wasn't allowed in a bar. 

Beasley has talent, there's no one who questions that. The issue is whether that talent is overshadowed by his immaturity or the other way around.

Before the season, he was the subject of countless criticisms over off the court issues. Beasley did a stint at a Houston addiction treatment facility after it came out he had tested positive for marijuana.

It wasn't the first time he'd had a run-in with the league over substance abuse issues. In September of 2008 he was fined $50,000 for his involvement in an incident at the NBA Rookie Transition Program.

Beasley, fellow Heat teammate Mario Chalmers, and Darrel Arthur of the Memphis Grizzlies had women in a hotel room during the strictly no guests allowed symposium. Hotel security also were alerted by the smell of marijuana coming from the room, but no drugs or paraphernalia were found.

All three players denied using any illegal substances.

The irony of the whole scene was the fact that the event they were attending is designed to help new NBA players handle the changes in lifestyle that accompany being in the league. 

It's things like that that make you wonder just how ready Beasley is to embrace his talent on the court. 

Since the birth of his two children this summer, the young man has admitted to making serious changes in the way he lives his life. Beasley has gone from extravagant nights on South Beach to video games at teammate Daequan Cook's house. 

He seems more relaxed this year, and definitely more focused. But that hasn't always led to success. 

Before exploding for 14 points in the fourth quarter of Miami's victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, Beasley had gone six contests without exceeding 15 points.

He has scored 20 or more points on 18 occasions this season, but has 15 games with ten points or fewer. For his 24 games with over .500 shooting, Beasley has responded with 19 games under .400. In 12 games this year he's gone without a turnover, in another 10 he's had three or more. 

So who's the real Michael Beasley?

The player who scored 14 points in the fourth quarter on Saturday, including two three-pointers, a steal, a block, and four straight possessions with superb defense on Atlanta Hawk's Josh Smith?

Or the player who averaged 9.6 points in the six games before then?

It seems every time Beasley has a break-through game like his 22-point performance on Saturday or his 30-point game on Feb. 19, he responds with a letdown the next time he gets on the court.

Heat coach Eric Spoelsta has admitted to spending extra time with Beasley after practices and in the film room, and at times it looks like that strategy has him spending too much time thinking on the court and not enough time reacting.

The question is which side of Beasley are we going to see over the next few seasons?

Its unlikely he will regress from this season, but its very possible the inconsistency will continue.

Hopefully for the Miami Heat's sake, Dr. Jekyll emerges as the real Michael Beasley.

by Michael Pinto at BleacherReport

Event Name Date Venue City
Miami Heat vs Toronto Raptors 02/05/2012 1:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers 02/07/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat 02/08/2012 7:00PM Amway Center Orlando
Washington Wizards vs Miami Heat 02/10/2012 7:00PM Verizon Center - DC Washington
Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat 02/12/2012 7:00PM Philips Arena Atlanta
Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat 02/13/2012 7:00PM Bradley Center Milwaukee
Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat 02/14/2012 7:00PM Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Formerly Conseco Fie Indianapolis
Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat 02/15/2012 7:00PM Bradley Center Milwaukee
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat 02/17/2012 7:30PM Quicken Loans Arena (formerly Gund Arena) Cleveland
Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic 02/19/2012 3:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Sacramento Kings 02/21/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 02/23/2012 7:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Portland Trail Blazers vs Miami Heat 03/01/2012 7:30PM Rose Garden Portland
Utah Jazz vs Miami Heat 03/02/2012 7:00PM EnergySolutions Arena (formerly The Delta Cen Salt Lake City
Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat 03/04/2012 12:30PM Staples Center Los Angeles
Miami Heat vs New Jersey Nets 03/06/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks 03/07/2012 7:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers 03/10/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat 03/13/2012 7:00PM Amway Center Orlando
Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat 03/14/2012 7:00PM United Center Chicago
Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat 03/16/2012 7:00PM Wells Fargo Center - PA (formerly Wachovia Ce Philadelphia
Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic 03/18/2012 7:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Phoenix Suns 03/20/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat 03/22/2012 7:00PM Bradley Center Milwaukee
Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat 03/23/2012 7:30PM Palace Of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat 03/25/2012 12:00PM Chesapeake Energy Arena (formerly Oklahoma Ci Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat 03/25/2012 7:00PM Chesapeake Energy Arena (formerly Oklahoma Ci Oklahoma City
Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat 03/26/2012 7:00PM Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Formerly Conseco Fie Indianapolis
Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks 03/29/2012 8:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat 03/30/2012 7:00PM Air Canada Centre Toronto
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat 04/01/2012 3:30PM TD Garden (Fleet Center) Boston
Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers 04/03/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder 04/04/2012 8:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Memphis Grizzlies 04/06/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Detroit Pistons 04/08/2012 6:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics 04/10/2012 7:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat 04/12/2012 7:00PM United Center Chicago
Miami Heat vs Charlotte Bobcats 04/13/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
New York Knicks vs Miami Heat 04/15/2012 1:00PM Madison Square Garden New York
New Jersey Nets vs Miami Heat 04/16/2012 7:30PM Prudential Center Newark
Miami Heat vs Toronto Raptors 04/18/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls 04/19/2012 8:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Washington Wizards 04/21/2012 7:30PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Miami Heat vs Houston Rockets 04/22/2012 6:00PM American Airlines Arena Miami
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat 04/24/2012 8:00PM TD Garden (Fleet Center) Boston
Washington Wizards vs Miami Heat 04/26/2012 8:00PM Verizon Center - DC Washington
Lockout Los Angeles Clippers vs Miami Heat 08/06/2012 9:00AM Staples Center Los Angeles
Lockout Miami Heat vs Sacramento Kings 09/01/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Washington Wizards vs Miami Heat 09/01/2012 9:00AM Verizon Center - DC Washington
Lockout Miami Heat vs Golden State Warriors 09/02/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs Charlotte Bobcats 09/03/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Memphis Grizzlies vs Miami Heat 09/04/2012 9:00AM Fedex Forum Memphis
Lockout Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder 09/04/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat 09/05/2012 9:00AM Oracle Arena Oakland
Lockout Miami Heat vs Washington Wizards 09/05/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Charlotte Bobcats vs Miami Heat 09/05/2012 9:00AM Time Warner Cable Arena (formerly Charlotte B Charlotte
Lockout Sacramento Kings vs Miami Heat 09/06/2012 9:00AM Power Balance Pavilion (Formerly Arco Arena) Sacramento
Lockout Miami Heat vs New Orleans Hornets 09/06/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs Detroit Pistons 09/07/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs San Antonio Spurs 09/08/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat 09/08/2012 9:00AM Pepsi Center Denver
Lockout Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls 09/09/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks 09/10/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat 09/11/2012 9:00AM Amway Center Orlando
Lockout Miami Heat vs New Jersey Nets 09/11/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat 09/12/2012 9:00AM AT&T Center San Antonio
Lockout Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 09/12/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Houston Rockets vs Miami Heat 09/13/2012 9:00AM Toyota Center - TX Houston
Lockout Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls 09/13/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout New Jersey Nets vs Miami Heat 09/13/2012 9:00AM Prudential Center Newark
Lockout Miami Heat vs Toronto Raptors 09/14/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Clippers 09/15/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic 09/16/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat 09/16/2012 9:00AM Staples Center Los Angeles
Lockout Miami Heat vs Charlotte Bobcats 09/17/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Portland Trail Blazers vs Miami Heat 09/17/2012 9:00AM Rose Garden Portland
Lockout Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat 09/17/2012 9:00AM Wells Fargo Center - PA (formerly Wachovia Ce Philadelphia
Lockout Washington Wizards vs Miami Heat 09/18/2012 9:00AM Verizon Center - DC Washington
Lockout Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 09/18/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers 09/19/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Utah Jazz vs Miami Heat 09/20/2012 9:00AM EnergySolutions Arena (formerly The Delta Cen Salt Lake City
Lockout Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers 09/20/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs Portland Trail Blazers 09/21/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat 09/22/2012 9:00AM United Center Chicago
Lockout Miami Heat vs Phoenix Suns 09/22/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Minnesota Timberwolves vs Miami Heat 09/23/2012 9:00AM Target Center Minneapolis
Lockout Miami Heat vs Minnesota Timberwolves 09/23/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat 09/24/2012 9:00AM Wells Fargo Center - PA (formerly Wachovia Ce Philadelphia
Lockout Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks 09/24/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Charlotte Bobcats vs Miami Heat 09/25/2012 9:00AM Time Warner Cable Arena (formerly Charlotte B Charlotte
Lockout Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat 09/25/2012 9:00AM Conseco Fieldhouse Indianapolis
Lockout Miami Heat vs Denver Nuggets 09/25/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers 09/26/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat 09/26/2012 9:00AM Philips Arena Atlanta
Lockout New Jersey Nets vs Miami Heat 09/27/2012 9:00AM Prudential Center Newark
Lockout Miami Heat vs Detroit Pistons 09/27/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks 09/28/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout New York Knicks vs Miami Heat 09/29/2012 9:00AM Madison Square Garden New York
Lockout Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers 09/29/2012 9:00AM American Airlines Arena Miami
Lockout Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat 09/29/2012 9:00AM TD Garden (Fleet Center) Boston
Lockout Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat 09/30/2012 9:00AM Conseco Fieldhouse Indianapolis
Lockout Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat 10/01/2012 9:00AM United Center Chicago
 

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I'm looking for Tiger to have a breakout performance after only a couple tournaments since knee surgery.
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