There had been rumblings over the internet for about the past month that Michael Beasley was involved in the incident at the NBA Rookie Transition Program. He was originally listed in a report by ESPN, but that report was later edited to remove the section involving Beasley, the #2 pick in the draft who just happens to be working with ESPN on a series of features on his life as a rookie. The rumors persisted, but nothing solid ever came out. Then last week a photo made it's way around the internet that showed Beasley with Mario Chalmers, with Chalmers holding something that looked very much like a marijuana cigarette, though the origins of the photo remain unknown. The league today announced that they had fined Beasley $50,000, more than twice the amount they fined Chalmers and Darrell Arthur, for his involvement at the NBA Rookie Transition program, as well as for interfering with the NBA's investigation.
This has several effects. First off, it furthers an increasingly popular viewpoint that Beasley is relatively unstable when it comes to character issues. While he seems likable, harmless, and fun, he's also known to be fiercely independent and flippant towards strict rules. This definitely fits in line with that. Second, it calls into question just who was responsible for the efforts to control the story. If it was Beasley's people, this is not the kind of thing that Pat Riley is known to take lightly. That's going to be an uncomfortable situation. It also calls into question the original ESPN report, and whether or not ESPN was involved in an effort to keep Beasley's name out of the story.
Either way, that's a lot of scratch, and we still don't know to what degree Beasley was involved in the incident that involved marijuana, the use of which both Chalmers and Arthur have both denied.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-18-2008 @ 7:54PM
Roger said...
Youngsters don't understand they can't live their life as if laws don't apply to them. I think until this society stops being selective with enforcement of good and bad laws, we will continue to have these situations. Either decriminalize certain drugs for all or lock everyone up when laws are violated - regardless of income, social position, party affiliation, nationality, race, or skill level. Until that happens, we will continue to have ballers, teachers, police officers, military menbers, and politicians doing what they want, but telling others not to do it.
I believe every individual implicated in this was probably present when it happened. Also, I would bet my salary against each of theirs they did what they are accused. It has to stop somewhere. Maybe having to work for $40,000 annually instead of millions would change views on drug use.
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9-19-2008 @ 11:18AM
ecash94 said...
Wow. A couple of guys who - under normal circumstances - would still be in college, got busted with weed and some girls in their room after curfew. Kinda mekes you lose faith in humanity. What is this world coming to? Youngsters nowadays have no respect for the law, especially these entitled athletes...give me a break. The same thing goes on in all levels of society. Anyone who says otherwise is either naive or a hypocrite.
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9-19-2008 @ 4:21PM
jordan said...
damn, pat riley is gonna have that ass when training camp starts.
Reply
9-19-2008 @ 6:48PM
george jennings said...
Let Pat Riley do what is necessary to get him in line. These young men must learn to appreciate the position they are in. The veterans on the team need to step forward and mentor him. This will have a positive effect twofold. The maturing of a young man to be a positive contributer in society and a maturing individual that will be willing to learn to play this game the right way. This kid is 19 and has no idea how to play this game at a professional level. It is a process as much as life is, you can't speed through it. He must accept each day as a learning experience. Would someone tell him that his head is more than a hat rack. It contains a brain.... USE IT OR LOSE IT !!!!!!
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