Michael Beasley Checks Into Rehab Facility

August 24th, 2009 by Andrew Wamboldt

According to Yahoo Sports, Michael Beasley has checked himself into a rehab facility during a weekend filled with controversy. This past weekend, Michael Beasley posted a photo on his twitter account to show off his new tattoos. On the coffee table were two baggies, which many on the internet have speculated to contain marijuana.

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Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley(notes) checked into an unidentified Houston rehabilitation hospital over the weekend, multiple sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Sources said the Heat encouraged Beasley to check into the facility to address possible substance and psychological issues. He is expected to spend time with former NBA player and coach John Lucas, who is renown for his success in working with troubled players.

When reached Monday morning, Miami Heat spokesman Tim Donovan declined comment. An NBA spokesman also declined comment.

Beasley’s admission comes after a handful of disturbing Twitter posts were recently attributed to him.

“Y do I feel like the whole world is against me…I can’t win for losin,” Beasley wrote.

“Feelin like it’s not worth livin!!!!!!! I’m done.”

I don’t think that Beasley has any serious substance abuse problems. He probably does smoke marijuana, but so do a lot of other NBA players, and people in general.

I think the Heat probably encouraged Beasley to check into a rehab center because he was having difficulty coping with a depression. Beasley has had a tough year after a disappointing rookie season, being forced to admit that he was in the room with marijuana at the rookie seminar, and having to see stories about how Dwyane Wade isn’t satisfied with him in the media.

This most recent twitter incident was probably just a breaking point for Beasley. Not only did he get accused of having marijuana (it is very possible that it wasn’t weed in that bag, of course it is also very possible that it was.), but he has had to deal with people hating on his new tattoo, which he wanted to show off.

Getting Beasley’s head on straight is key to the Miami Heat organization. Dwyane Wade and a max 2010 free agent might be able to win a championship together, but they wouldn’t be the favorites. If you throw Michael Beasley into the mix, and he reaches his potential, then the Heat could be a juggernaut.

Hopefully Beasley can get things going back on track. I enjoy watching him play, and think he can still be a superstar in the league. Beasley showed some of that potential in the last month of the season, averaging 20.6 points and 8.6 rebounds in April. His playing time was sporadic in the playoffs, but he put up an impressive 22 point and 15 rebound performance in a Game 6 win for the Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

I was one of the few people who wanted the Bulls to draft Beasley over Derrick Rose. If I was able to go back in time, and draft, I would take Derrick Rose now. This is just because Rose is a known commodity. We know that Rose will probably be an allstar level player at the very least. I still think that Beasley has a lot more upside than Rose, but he also appears to have a lot more downside. I think if Beasley can ever get his head on straight, he will be better than Rose, but it can’t be assumed that Beasley will ever get his head on straight.

Working in Beasley’s favor is that he has some good friends from back in high school, such as Kevin Durant, who are also in the NBA, and who appear to have everything order. Hopefully guys like Durant can help Beasley get out of it.

It would be a shame if Beasley’s career were to get derailed because of psychological issues and drugs. Beasley is a great talent, and it will be a shame if the NBA never gets to see Beasley at his full potential.