SO, I wrote a story that will run Sunday about Michael Beasley’s so-called character issues. I spoke to a bunch of people, and I think it’s rather conclusive. I think it’s a good read. Look for it Sunday.
HERE’S a great unused quote from Oak Hill coach Steve Smith on Beasley: “There were times when you wanted to say to him, ‘Can we just get serious?’ I never knew on game nights if we was serious. But then he’d get 35 and 15… It was to read what buttons to push, but I really liked him as a person, as a kid.”
I’LL be live blogging, I think, from the Manhattan Classic this weekend. Not actual in-game notes but probably some random stuff, like observations and conversations. If there is anything you want me to pursue or ask, get at me in the comments field below.
HOW many of you will be at the Classic, anyway? If you see me, holler at me. For real.
I just spoke with Frank Martin. I asked him why Walker, who looks fantastic, lost weight now instead of during the season:
“He played the season at 235, and he weighs 230 now. He gained weight after the season. He was up to 248. But then he was down to 228 a couple of weeks ago… It’s hard to lose weight during the season. It’s a lot easier to change your body during the off-season than it is during the season. He’s taken advantage.”
He continues to believe Walker is a sure-fire first-round pick.
“He’s a hard worker,” Martin said. “He’s a player, man. You say him guard O.J. Mayo in the tournament. He has the capability. He just has to learn to do that on a full-time basis. That comes with age. Offensively, before his second knee injury, he was so much more athletic and explosive than everyone else, he depended on scoring at the rim.
“If he goes through the normal progression, and he should now that he doesn’t have to worry about class…”