The News Scottsdale police are investigating Beasley in connection with an alleged sexual assault.
Our View Police spokesman Officer David Pubins says the allegation involves an incident that took place on Jan. 13. Pubins says police are interviewing those involved and processing any physical evidence to determine if criminal charges are appropriate. More details weren't available. Team officials did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment Tuesday. It wasn't clear if Beasley had legal representation
Michael Beasley is under investigation for sexual assault (Ball Don't Lie)
The News Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley has done very little to convince NBA fans of his usefulness over his five NBA seasons. Despite entering the league with the hopes of being a very productive scorer and rebounder, Beasley has alternated isolated moments of greatness with long stretches of woeful, directionless play in which he appears to have little sense of his role within the team or what the coaching staff would like him to do. He also hasn't been a model citizen, dealing with a perceived marijuana problem and getting cited for flagrant speeding in February 2013. There is a common and largely accurate perception that Beasley is not a particularly helpful presence on a professional basketball team.
Ultimately, though, those issues are far less severe than the news coming out of Phoenix on Tuesday. As reported by Alex Ferri of ABC15 , Beasley is under investigation for an allegation of sexual assault:
Police investigate Phoenix Suns forward Beasley (The Associated Press)
The News SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Scottsdale police are investigating Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley in connection with an alleged sexual assault.
Suns’ Michael Beasley under investigation for sexual assault (NBC Sports)
The News Phoenix Suns’ forward Michael Beasley is under investigation by Scottsdale police for a potential sexual assault back on Jan. 13, according to ABC News 15 in Phoenix. “At this point we can only say the investigation is ongoing,” said David Pubins, Scottsdale police spokesman. “We are interviewing those involved and processing any physical evidence we…
The Phoenix Suns hire 33-year old Ryan McDonough to be their new general manager (Ball Don't Lie)
The News Earlier on Tuesday, word was filtering around the usual NBA circles that the Phoenix Suns were attempting to hire Los Angeles Clippers forward Grant Hill as the team’s new general manager. That potential hire would come on the heels of the disastrous regime of since-fired GM Lance Blanks, and the work of another big name ex-player in Steve Kerr. It appeared that the Suns, as run by former Hill representative Lon Babby, were diving deep into business as usual.
It turns out that the team has decided to decidedly mix things up. Former Boston Celtics assistant GM Ryan McDonough is the team’s new personnel chief, and he’ll have quite the task ahead of him. The Phoenix Suns haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, and the team’s roster is filled with middling players with middle of the road contracts that, combined in an unholy alliance, only managed to win 25 games in 2012-13. The team has no coach. The team’s assistant coaching staff mostly quit in disgust last winter . Michael Beasley’s checks have the Phoenix Suns logo in the top corner. There is a lot of work to be done.
And Ryan McDonough is 33 years-old. He, like a lot of us, had junior high-styled lawn mowing duties the last time the Suns made the Finals in 1993. He is the same age as Suns forward Luis Scola, and younger than Suns center Jermaine O’Neal.
He’s also, probably, the best hire the Suns could hope to make.
The News Beasley finished two shy of a season high with 25 points in Phoenix's 111-107 loss to Golden State on Friday.
Our View Beasley has scored in double figures in 11 of his last 15 games. He credits his recent play to not listening to anyone - coaches included - and instead relying on his instincts, which we all know have taken him to great heights thus far in his career.
Suns' Beasley forward cited for suspended license (The Associated Press)
The News PHOENIX (AP) -- Scottsdale police say Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley was cited last month on suspicion of speeding, driving on a suspended Arizona license and driving without a vehicle license plate or registration.
Michael Beasley gives us fair warning that he is returning to nature (Ball Don't Lie)
The News Plenty of things were surprising about the Phoenix Suns' come-from-behind 92-86 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the late game of ESPN's Wednesday night double-header — that the Lakers offense sputtered after three straight strong games helmed by point G.O.A.T. and leader Kobe Bryant, that Steve Nash and Earl Clark both played quietly in their returns to Phoenix, and that after allowing L.A. to shoot 65 percent from the floor in a 32-point third quarter that pushed the Laker lead to 13, the Suns tightened up defensively enough to influence Bryant and company into a dismal 4 for 21 mark from the floor (19 percent) in a 13-point finish that wound up costing L.A. its burgeoning winning streak.
But none of that was as surprising as the performance of Michael Beasley, noted millstone and gremlin-seer , who exploded off the Phoenix bench for a game-high 27 points on surprisingly (there's that word again) efficient 12 for 20 shooting and added six rebounds and five steals in 34 minutes. He was the Suns' go-to option down the stretch, hitting 5 of 6 for 10 points in the fourth, including a scrambling, mad-dash-to-the-rim layup with 43.8 seconds left and the shot clock winding down that gave Phoenix the lead for good.
Considering Beasley's most recent notable action had been "shoveling handfuls of [...] greasy [French fries]" into his mouth before a game, this was kind of a shift in the storyline. So what gives? As Beasley told reporters, including Bob Baum of The Associated Press , after the game, it was just doing what comes naturally:
"I'm just playing aggressive," Beasley said. "I'm trying to turn over a new leaf. No more nonchalant Beas. I'm back to the Beast."
Judging by his hairstyle last night, the Beast is either a unicorn or some kind of exotic fictional bird of prey — perhaps a literate osprey that really liked "Watchmen."
The News Beasley scored a season-high 27 points and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 13 down in the fourth quarter to hand the Los Angeles Lakers their eighth straight road loss 92-86 on Wednesday night.
Our View Beasley, averaging 10.5 points, had 25 in a loss to San Antonio on Saturday.
Suns rally to beat Lakers in Nash's return for LA (The Associated Press)
The News PHOENIX (AP) -- Michael Beasley scored a season-high 27 points and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 13 down in the fourth quarter to hand the Los Angeles Lakers their eighth straight road loss 92-86 on Wednesday night.
Kevin Durant posterizes Marcin Gortat, despite Gortat’s best efforts (VIDEO) (Ball Don't Lie)
The News Kevin Durant's been hunting for poster victims pretty much all season long. We've seen him ring up Toronto Raptors rookie Jonas Valanciunas, go end-to-end to throw one down on Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, turn a blocked shot into a vicious slam on Dallas Mavericks big man Chris Kaman and just miss a supreme detonation on Brooklyn Nets reserve Andray Blatche. It's almost like the Oklahoma City Thunder star entered this season saying, "Yeah, it's kind of cool being the best scorer alive, a legitimate threat to join the 50-40-90 club and a rising MVP candidate on a perennial title contender, but what I'd really like to do is make sure everybody knows that I'm one of the league's most ferocious in-game dunkers, too."
Well, KD, we get it. And now, in the unlikely event he didn't before, so does Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat:
Yeesh.
While we're going to focus on the very loud ending to this fourth-quarter play, don't sleep on its start — as Vancouver-based coach and analyst Doug Eberhardt noted , the hesitation dribble that Durant uses to summarily shake longtime friend Michael Beasley at the top of the key was just as filthy as the finish. I guess we can add "tightened up his lefty handle" to the list of things the 24-year-old Thunder forward has improved this year.
The News (Reuters) - Luis Scola and the fast-paced Phoenix Suns heaved a collective sigh of relief after snapping a 12-game road losing streak with a rousing 97-81 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Argentine forward Scola scored 22 points and bench player Michael Beasley weighed in with 20 as the Suns stunned the Bulls at the United Center to improve to 13-26 for the season. Phoenix outshot Chicago by 49 percent to 36 from the field and out-rebounded their opponents 46-42 with a welcome return to form after being beaten in their five previous games. ...
UPDATE 1-NBA-Suns scorch Bulls to end road drought (Reuters)
The News * Record 2,000th franchise win * Suns snap five-game losing run with rare road win (Adds quotes, detail) Jan 12 (Reuters) - Luis Scola and the fast-paced Phoenix Suns heaved a collective sigh of relief after snapping a 12-game road losing streak with a rousing 97-81 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Argentine forward Scola scored 22 points and bench player Michael Beasley weighed in with 20 as the Suns stunned the Bulls at the United Center to improve to 13-26 for the season. ...
Suns scorch Bulls to end road losing streak (Reuters)
The News (Reuters) - Luis Scola and the fast-paced Phoenix Suns snapped a 12-game road losing streak with a rousing 97-81 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Argentine forward Scola scored 22 points and bench player Michael Beasley weighed in with 20 as the Suns stunned the Bulls at the United Center to improved to 13-26 for the season. Phoenix outshot Chicago by 49 percent to 36 from the field and out-rebounded their opponents 46-42 with a welcome return to form after being beaten in their five previous games. ...
NBA-Suns scorch Bulls to end road losing streak (Reuters)
The News Jan 12 (Reuters) - Luis Scola and the fast-paced Phoenix Suns snapped a 12-game road losing streak with a rousing 97-81 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Argentine forward Scola scored 22 points and bench player Michael Beasley weighed in with 20 as the Suns stunned the Bulls at the United Center to improved to 13-26 for the season. Phoenix outshot Chicago by 49 percent to 36 from the field and out-rebounded their opponents 46-42 with a welcome return to form after being beaten in their five previous games. ...
Should Phoenix Suns fans request a refund after being guaranteed satisfaction? (Ball Don't Lie)
The News Last Friday, Kelly Dwyer hipped you to the Phoenix Suns' plans to issue their fans refunds if they did not have a satisfactory amount of fun at one of their games. It was a bold move, and also a smart one — the Suns received lots of press via the Internet, TV, and various other media outlets.
On Thursday night, the Suns played that game, losing to the Dallas Mavericks 97-94 in front a sellout crowd at US Airways Center (though, as Shaquille O'Neal pointed out on TNT, there were some empty seats). But should fans demand a refund? Did they leave satisfied? If they weren't, all they have to do is fill out a form at the team's website and mail their ticket stub to the team offices.
[Related Is honeymoon already over for Michael Beasley and the Suns? ]
This is a moral question, not merely a question of saving money. We are here to help. After the jump, consult a list of pros and cons to make an informed decision on whether or not it was a satisfying experience.
The News Beasley came one point shy of his season high Sunday, scoring 21 in the Suns' 104-101 loss at Philadelphia.
Our View Beasley's performance came in surprising fashion after he totaled 21 points over his previous three games, including a season-low two in a win over New Orleans on Friday.
Beasley helps Suns pull away to beat Denver, 88-72 (The Associated Press)
The News PHOENIX (AP) -- Michael Beasley scored 18 of his 29 points in the first half and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 88-72 in preseason action Friday night.
Michael Beasley holds an anonymous estate sale to dump his very strange stuff (Ball Don't Lie)
The News The idea of an estate sale is creepy enough as it is. Usually they're put together in an attempt to sell off the last remaining vestiges and assets of someone who has recently passed on, or a person run afoul of either the law or their own checking account. Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley appears to be in no such trouble, and even though he didn't exactly break the bank with his second pro contract, its average-sized makeup falls right in line with the rookie deal he started working under in 2008 that paid him just over $20 million over four years.
This doesn't explain why the former Minnesota Timberwolves forward, as he moves on to his third NBA city in five seasons, needs to set up an estate sale for his abandoned Minnesota home, rather than just hiring a crew to toss everything into a truck and move his clutter down to Phoenix. This also doesn't explain why Beasley, even while we're aware of his goofball reputation, has so much goofball stuff in his house. Fox Sports' Joan Niesen , who has quickly become one of our favorite NBA beat writers, attempted to find out as much during a public sale that made no mention of whose estate was up for grabs :
So there was no yelling about Beasley, but there were whispers. Neighbors gossiped to workers about the time a sports car ended up wrapped around a tree last winter outside the house, and anyone who did know the identity of who had previously lived there couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in nearly every room they entered. The entire thing posed so many questions: Why does Michael Beasley need a copy of the Physicians' Desk Reference? Or a book of Ingmar Bergman screenplays? Or giant glass grapes? What use does Beasley have for a floral headboard? Why does he love tasseled pillows so much? Whose handbags are those?
Phoenix Suns GM Lance Blanks likes Luis Scola because he is gross (Ball Don't Lie)
The News A lot's changed with the Phoenix Suns this summer. Longtime franchise linchpin Steve Nash was traded to Los Angeles to be closer to his kids (and, as luck would have it, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard). Grant Hill also headed for L.A., albeit to join the Clippers, while veteran frontcourt players Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick were shipped to the New Orleans Hornets in a (fairly protracted) three-team deal and former UNC point guard Kendall Marshall was tapped with the 13th overall selection in the 2012 NBA draft to be the team's point guard of the future. In sum, Phoenix has begun an organizational overhaul — one that's unlikely to get the Suns back into the playoff picture anytime soon, but one that needed to happen in order for the team to move on from the Nash era.
As Suns General Manager Lance Blanks — a man who's been known to take a grim, if purely truthful, view of the human condition — told Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic , the goal of the overhaul was to build a roster that could sustain through the cold winters to come (metaphorically speaking) in the valley of the sun:
"The first goal was to be able to put a team out there that would handle the next era of the organization — the rigors and challenges," Blanks said. "A transition like that is not always seamless. We wanted to make sure we had people to weather the ups and downs of entering the next era and also find guys whose career paths and trajectories fit the future of the organization. Just about every guy is a fresh-start guy."
The team's main offseason additions fit that profile. Goran Dragic gets a chance to run the show full time after splitting point-guard duties with the Houston Rockets and during his first stint in Phoenix. Michael Beasley gets his third shot at becoming an All-Star after falling out of favor with the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. And Luis Scola, fresh off a strong scoring performance for Argentina at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, gets to remind everybody that, despite his Morey's-Grand-Gambit-inspired amnesty , he's still one of the most talented scoring forwards in the world.
To hear Blanks tell it, though, the primary attraction of Scola for the Suns was neither his expansive repertoire of low-post pivots and counters, nor his smooth midrange jumper, nor the fact that he enters the season with something to prove. "Freshness" didn't much enter into it; it was something ... um ... else :
Michael Beasley will be an All-Star next season, says Michael Beasley (Ball Don't Lie)
The News In 2008, Miami Heat rookie Michael Beasley came into the league with big expectations. He was to be the second star in tandem with Dwyane Wade, a scorer, rebounder, and matchup nightmare. Things haven't worked out close to as planned — Beasley has been an inefficient shooter and little else with the Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. He has a chance to start over with the Phoenix Suns after signing a three-year contract worth $18 million, but no one really expects him to approach the potential he flashed as a teenager.
Everyone, that is, except Beasley himself. Because, as he enters his first season as a Sun, he has plans to make his first All-Star game. From an interview with XTRA 910 in Phoenix, as transcribed by Sports Radio Interviews (via SLAM ):
The News Beasley says his marijuana issues are a thing of the past, that he's ready to show the Phoenix Suns that their support for him is warranted. The 6-foot-10 forward signed a three-year, $18 million contract with Phoenix on Friday, then faced questions about his past head-on at a news conference.
Our View Beasley says that he's learned that ``10 minutes of feeling good'' is not worth putting his life, career and legacy in jeopardy. Beasley, the second pick overall in the 2008 draft, played his first two seasons with Miami and the last two with Minnesota. He became a free agent when the Timberwolves declined an $8 million option to keep him.
Beasley admits mistakes, says 'I just want to win' (The Associated Press)
The News PHOENIX (AP) -- Michael Beasley says his marijuana issues are a thing of the past, that he's ready to show the Phoenix Suns that their support for him is warranted.
The Phoenix Suns aren’t done rebuilding, in the wake of the team’s Steve Nash deal (Ball Don't Lie)
The News The Phoenix Suns had to cut ties with Steve Nash eventually. And though there will be no potential lottery picks or a youngster to hand a new uniform to in the deal that sends Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Suns did as well as could be reasonably expected in trading the player they drafted all the way back in 1996. Steve Nash's second term with the Suns, starting in 2004 and ending officially sometime next week, did not result in Phoenix's first championship. But we'll remember the various permutations of the Nash-led Suns team from 2004-12 far more than we'll remember half of the NBA Finals games we watched and re-watched over that span.
The Suns got draft picks, not great ones, from the Lakers. And retained salary cap space. They couldn't pull in an Iman Shumpert-type in a sign-and-trade deal, but the "sign" has to come before the "trade," and Nash chose Los Angeles over New York. The early returns, even after that, are a little worrisome. The New Orleans Hornets are sure to match Phoenix's somehow-reasonable max offer of four years and $58 million for restricted free agent Eric Gordon. Goran Dragic, whom the Suns once dealt with a first round draft pick for the rights to acquire the long-forgotten Aaron Brooks, is back for four years and $30 million guaranteed. And major head case Michael Beasley was just handed three years and $18 million.
Yet, for whatever reason, we can't bring ourselves to destroy Phoenix's initial attempts to make up for Nash's loss. Partially because they've brought in some good talent. But mostly because there is still room to grow. Provided the team executes this rebuilding the right way.
Beasley verbally commits to Phoenix (The SportsXchange)
The News Free-agent forward Michael Beasley has given a verbal commitment on a three-year, $18 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, sources told ESPN.com.
AP Source: Suns, Beasley agree to 3-year deal (The Associated Press)
The News PHOENIX (AP) -- Free agent forward Michael Beasley has agreed to a three-year, $18 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The News The Minnesota Timberwolves have declined to make qualifying offers to Beasley and Anthony Randolph, making them both unrestricted free agents.
Our View Beasley averaged a career-low 11.2 points per game last season while battling numerous injuries. The $8.1 million qualifying offer for the former No. 2 overall draft choice caused the Wolves to move on.
Wolves decline qualifiers for Beasley, Randolph (The Associated Press)
The News MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- For the second time in four years, Michael Beasley is on the move, hoping another team will be willing to overlook his inconsistency on the court and try to harness the considerable talent that has intrigued and frustrated so many for so long.
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