Michael Beasley’s run-in with Stern, Al Jefferson is hurt, and Lamar Odom for Sixth Man?
Michael Beasley (photo. Matt Brown)Michael Beasley did something. Only a handful of people know what that something is — Darrell Arthur, Mario Chalmers, David Stern and a couple of ladies — but we do know that it happened at the Rookie Transition Program at the same time Chalmers and Arthur got into trouble, and whatever it was cost Beasley a $50,000 fine. Speculation says Beasley’s extra punishment (remember the Kansas guys got fined a mere $20,000) comes from him initially not cooperating with the NBA’s investigation, but you know how those Metro area dudes feel about snitching … With Beasley also having fired his agent earlier this week, we can see how taking a 50K hit to the wallet is even more reason why he’s apparently pining for bigger and better endorsements … Last week we were breaking down the best frontcourt trios in the League, and most of you picked the Lakers’ unit of Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Changes could be on the way for that group, though. Not sure if this is a Manu Ginobili-inspired Phil Jackson idea, but talk out of L.A. is that L.O. might actually be coming off the bench this season. Obviously no one thinks Trevor Ariza or Luke Walton is better than Odom, but if you want to save some of your firepower to come in with the second unit, or give yourself some more options with lineups where Odom can play the four and take advantage of his rebounding ability, it’s not a bad idea to make him the sixth man. If Ariza is gonna start, though, he really needs to work on his jumper … For T’wolves fans who just read about Gilbert Arenas‘ knee injury, getting news of Al Jefferson’s sprained MCL had to be scary. No need to worry too much, though; Jefferson is only going to be out for 2-3 weeks and should be good to go for the regular season. We talk a lot about how valuable guys like LeBron, Chris Paul and Kobe are to their teams, but can you imagine how garbage the Wolves would be if Jefferson wasn’t around? … And what would Vince Carter’s team be without him? Yesterday we previewed the ‘08-09 New Jersey Nets. With VC, Devin Harris and projects/prospects like Yi Jianlian and Brook Lopez, there is some talent there, but probably not enough to get any closer to the playoffs. But if Vince plays motivated, they could sneak up on some teams and steal the 8th seed … Two members of the Dime crew are from Seattle, and after losing the Sonics, one of them needs a new team to root for. Click HERE and help him complete the adoption process, which has come down to the Cavs, Pistons, Rockets, Pacers, Grizzlies, Knicks, Blazers and Spurs … Speaking of, give the Pistons credit for one thing: they’re trying to juggle winning and rebuilding, and we like how they’re going about it. Chauncey, Rip, Tayshaun and ‘Sheed are still in place to make another (conference) Finals run, but at the same time coach Michael Curry is looking to get Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo and Amir Johnson more prominent roles to build for the future. Detroit is also trying to lock Jason Maxiell into a contract extension (three years, $15 million), but Max has yet to accept. Can the Pistons lean more on the young guys and still maintain the success they’ve had over the last 5-6 years? … Meanwhile, the Mavs aren’t moving at all on extending Jason Kidd. Already slated for $21 million this year before his contract runs out, what will Kidd’s next deal look like in terms of length and salary? Consider that he’s 35 years old, and despite getting destroyed by CP in the postseason, he’s still a triple-double threat and arguably the best passer in the game today … Danilo Gallinari and Marcus Williams were spotted at the Liberty/Sun WNBA playoff game at MSG … Just how much was the Indiana Hoosiers‘ roster gutted by NBA Draft defections, graduation and the fallout of the Kelvin Sampson drama? Yesterday we were flipping through one of those college basketball preview magazines that breaks down every team in the country and has a corresponding photo of each team’s star player. When it came to Indiana, the photo was of coach Tom Crean … We’re out like Beasley’s money …
September 19th, 2008 at 3:48 am
Tha Boddy says:
Odom just needs to be traded as he is not a fit for the Lakers anymore…will he really accept a bench role when he should atleast be nearing the end his prime???
September 19th, 2008 at 3:51 am
badong says:
1ST!
September 19th, 2008 at 3:55 am
bordado says:
it seems like next season is taking forever to start…
September 19th, 2008 at 3:58 am
bordado says:
@badong
noypi ka rin?
September 19th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Tha Boddy says:
@badong
how the fak could you post 3mins after me and still claim first…Error in noticing time = Epic Fail
September 19th, 2008 at 4:24 am
re says:
funny how Lakers’ froncourt according to “smart” dime readers are best in the L, and they have KB and Fisher in the backcourt and still Kobe will have 3 rings by the end of his career…
September 19th, 2008 at 4:27 am
bamba says:
@ badong
Amy?
September 19th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Camp Lo says:
Something is definitely fishy bout that whole Beasley situ. Why wasn’t he booted from the rookie camp like the KU boys? Why has it taken so long for this fine to drop? Why such a greater fine (50k vs. 20k)?
There is NO way in hell the Nets are makin’ the Playoffs. Period.
I’m from Seattle too, I’ve already taken my loyalties down I-5 to the Rose City. The T-Blazers have the Sea-town connects (Roy, Webster, Nate, Paul Allen) & their roster is incredibly stacked & young so they have the potential to be the dominant team of the next decade if everything pans out (that’s a big ‘if’ I know).
September 19th, 2008 at 4:44 am
Magnifico says:
Beasley got fined that much coz he didnt own up his involvement asap.
And he fired his agent for not being able to get huge endorsements? Well this incident tells us why. You don’t see Lebron or Durant in a “fishy” rookie training camp incident.
Hope this serves as a wake up call. This coming from a B-Easy fan.
September 19th, 2008 at 4:52 am
j from la says:
WHAT DID BEASLEY DO?
September 19th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Three Stacks says:
Odom off the bench is the only way to keep him effective in a Laker uniform. If the Lakers start Fisher, Kobe, LO, Pau and Bynum, that isn’t nearly enough perimeter shooting. I’d rather they start Radmanovic, who can light it up sometimes. It’s rare, but still.
Best case scenario would be if we traded LO, Radmanovic, and a pick to Detroit for McDyess, Tayshaun, and….Walter Herrman, maybe.
September 19th, 2008 at 6:20 am
solomon says:
i think LA’d be better starting a defensive 3 (ariza) to make kobe focus primarily on the offense…
fish (ron harper role - whatever that is)
kobe
trevor (pippen role - defender)
pau (longley role - fundy solid big man)
bynum (rodman role - rebounder, that is)
lamar will be what pippen was when mj went out… farmar will be his bj armstrong… walton will be his, uhm, kukoc (read: whipping boy)
coaching just went full circle…
and beasley… got too much antoine walker mojo in him… talks too much… wants the spotlight too much… can’t wait til b-easy / wade / marion kill each other over the wire, claiming the top dog role in south beach… chemistry trouble written all over, in caps and in bold…
and well, detroit can do the transition… at worst, they’d go utah (miss the preseason a season or two, then become legit over again)…
we’re out like the hoosiers
September 19th, 2008 at 6:43 am
heartbreaker85 says:
whatever beasley did, couldnt be worse than kobe in colorado.
tell me how my ass tastes!
September 19th, 2008 at 7:08 am
jay says:
this is a cold smack.. just a recap of the news..
September 19th, 2008 at 7:23 am
alf (from melmak) says:
can dime just totally ban those who post nothing but “first” and any of its variations?
those dumbass are just posting nothing but garbage. agree with me on this?
guys, let us all donate one whole day meal allowance to the cause and make dime do something about those nincompoops.
anyway, jefferson is now surrounded by talent. the t’wolves will definitely make some noise. say what you want with mchale but he has assembled a good team this time.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:29 am
solomon says:
sad… but kinda agree with post#14… well, we all have our ups and downs…
and yeah… minny’s got a mini detroit down there (role players galore) - a solid post combo in love and al jeff, shooters / roleplayers in mike miller / mccunts
/ ryan gomes, a guard for years to come (foye) - guys who won’t hurt your chemistry and knows their roles… still, not this year… maybe the next…
we’re out like saying 1st
September 19th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Leapin' Leroy Loggins says:
I think LO’s spot on that Lakers team should be point guard. Like Scottie back in the day. Then they could start Ariza/Walton or Radman at the 3 - particularly Walton or Radman if they want a shooter or Ariza if they want a doberman.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:29 am
WEST says:
NETS could make the 8th seed if Vince played with any kind of passion or urgency. In other words…NOT HAPPENING!
Now we see why Pat Riley and the HEAT were trying to do everything possible to NOT draft B-EASY. Stoopid talented, but obviously a major headache off the court.
Danilo Gallinari spotted at a WNBA game? That might be the highlight of his rookie season right there.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:34 am
it ain't easy being green says:
I totally agree with anyone who looks down on these “first” d-bags, nobody cares who posted first and in most cases, you ain’t sayin shit anyway
I really hope the wolves have a good year. I was one of those celtic fans that, post garnett, watched minn to see how the c’s would have turned out as I am a big al Jefferson fan and I belive gomes has all the potential in the world.
As for b-easy, there’s gotta be more than the l’s letting on. I mean 50000 for not snitching?
September 19th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Kobeef says:
I read more about the Beasely story and it seems that Beasley might be the only one who was smokin’ weed. Chalmers and Arthur said yeah - we were hanging out with ladies but we didn’t smoke weed….yet somehow the room smelled like weed….Beasley was the missing ingredient in the story.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
I’m sure the truth about Beasley will come out sooner or later. Hey DIME how about some investigative reporting and find one of them ladies that were in the room? I’m sure an attention whore would tell you everything you want know.
I’m going to take a wild guess and say that the weed was Beasleys or the whole thing was his idea even though he wasn’t there. I don’t see the L fining somebody for obstruction. He had to have played a more important role in this debacle.
September 19th, 2008 at 9:24 am
schoops says:
I highly doubt that the Nets can make the playoffs this year. Most teams in the East improved their rosters (or were already much better) while the Nets shipped out Jefferson in exchange for Yi, not exactly an upgrade. Plus as “West” said, if you’re relying on Carter to carry your groceries, let alone your team you are fu*ked.
Now that Seattle doesn’t havea team, don’t consider shifting your love to the Knicks. As a NYK’s fan I don’t want to suggest that kind of punishment for anyone.
@Badong.. Seriously, why do people post first? I do not understand this. Is it some kind of accomplishment? Do you print out a copy of each page on the internet you’ve said first on and then hang it on your mom’s fridge? Just go punch yourself in the face.
September 19th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Sam I Am says:
SHUT UP ALF YOU HOMO
September 19th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Zach says:
In Joe D we trust but he better come with more than 5 mil a year for Max. Dude is gonna shine this year. Dumars needs to up the years and the price a little bit
September 19th, 2008 at 9:39 am
sans says:
Vince is going to catch a lingering hangnail 22 games in, sitting out multiple times during the season. Devin Harris has to go nuts this year, HAS TO, if the Nets have any shot at 38 wins. They will not get 40 wins. I have no idea how you do not demand Brandon Bass in any deal for Jason Kidd when your frontcourt is fuglier than the remains of a shotgun head wound. The Nets won;t do anything, might even be the team you rag on your boy about all week–”Man, you suck. I fn beat with NEW JER-Z.”–just to get under his skin.
September 19th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Dennis Castro says:
Wasn’t there someone in the bathroom flushing the weed down the toilet when security broke in. I’m guessing that was Beasley.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:09 am
chrisGO says:
badong take that 1st shit somewhere else you loser
September 19th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Sam I Am says:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
September 19th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Celts Fan says:
on the Beasley thing, remember, Arthur was the 27th pick and Chalmers was a 2nd rounder, so they’re maybe making $500-$600K this year, while Beasley’s banking something like $4Mil.. $20K hits them MUCH harder than $50K hits Beasley. Also, Beasley didn’t admit his involvement and didn’t snitch (Melo’d be proud) so he got popped for standing in the way of the investigation. Plus, someone posted a link yesterday taht had a picture of Beasley and Chalmers hanging out in that room and Mario’s holding what’s either the worst-rolled cigar ever (it’s not) or an L. He was involved, probably just not actually there by the time security showed up (say what you will about his maturity, he was smart enough to bounce after smoking and not wait to get caught.)
September 19th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Fobuless says:
Few years ago, I questioned the Lakers for trading Van Exel (helped Dallas with the playoff run)or Eddie Jones(helped the Heat with the championship), but they ended up winning championships after one another.
And now Lakers are not trading Odom, there must be a really good reason for that. I really think Odom is a phenomenal player. People forgot he was selected for the Olympic team. Plus, he lost a child not too long ago, and the same season, he was producing good numbers. His mental toughness is there.
Odom will give Lakers a lot of options, he can handle, guard bigger players comparing to Artest. And with Turiaf gone, the Lakers will need Odom to help out. He post up the smaller 3 or 4, and he can dribble pass the slower 3 or 4. He can pass, he is long.
With the triangle offense, he is perfect for the system.
Starting line up: Fisher, Kobe, Ariza, Pau, Bynum.
2nd units: Farmer, Sasha, Luke, Radmanovic, Odom, Mihm.
Lakers now have a lot of option.
You have a running team have Farmer, Kobe, Ariza, Odom with Bynum or Mihm (I remember when Shaq got traded, all the sudden, Lakers became a lot faster and Mihm was the main reason for that.) play together.
You have a post up team with Fisher, Kobe, Ariza, Pau, Bynum.
I just think Phil Jackson is really blessed.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Celts Fan says:
Here’s the thing w/ Odom, he comes up small in big games. Also, you need him at the 4 to take advantage of his best abilities (boards and getting out on/leading the break from that spot.) You can’t play just him and Pau without getting bullied (like the Finals) and you need ot make room for Bynum who looks to be a rich man’s Perk. Keep Lamar, bring him off the bench, and go on to run ish. As long as they’re winning (and theyw ill be) he should be good with it.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Stan says:
beasley was sellin’ that sh*t people. i think THAT much is obvious.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Capt Stabbin says:
Naw, Stan. Ole boy was just involved. Fine heavy cause he didnt cooperate with the cops…
snitches get stitches
September 19th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
John says:
Did somebody just say that Trevor Ariza could do the job of Scottie Pippen ? I think some of the guys here are passing to much time with Beasley, Arthur and Chalmers ,,
September 19th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Stan says:
$30,000 more for not cooperating with cops? Uh….I don’t think so. The fact that the NBA is hiding what truly went down that night is proof enough. You absolutely right Beasley was involved in that incident. That sh*t was his haha.
September 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
parinaz suns says:
cant be the best frount court trio if they (odom and gasol obviously not bynum) choked in the finals… and yeah bynums good and has great potential but he still hasnt done anything important
September 19th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Celts Fan says:
@Stan, would you still think he was dealing if it was Joe Alexander that got hit like that instead of Beasley? Just saying…
remember too, this is a much smaller PERCENTAGE OF THEIR PAY for Beasley than it is for Arthur and Chalmers, that’s the reason for the difference in fines, along with the fact that Beasley was completely impeding the investigation. Doesn’t matter what you did, if you’re not cooperating, they’ll throw the book at you. Perfect example is the John Gotti/Sammy the Bull stuff. Gotti ordered the murders and gets life, Sammy actually PULLED THE TRIGGER HIMSELF and got less than 5 yrs. Drastic example, but you get the point (though after rereading that, I’m not so sure there is one, but I’m posting it anyway.)
and as always, stop snitchin’ WWMD (What would Melo do?)
September 20th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Stan says:
@Celts fan
first of all, i am black if you are implying i see it as a race issue. it has got nuthin to do with race. if it was joe alexander, than hell that sh*t was his.
he got fined more, because he obviously in one way or another played a more important role in the whole fiasco. the nba doesn’t give a sh*t how much you get paid. JVG from the houston rockets was given a $100,000 fine for speaking out against refs and his pay is nowhere near anything big-time players make. when u get hit with a fine, it is due to the severity of your actions. the fact that beasley’s name comes up a good length of time after this whole fiasco went public is already pretty questionable.