Michael Beasley has officially made the jump from "quirky" to "troubled."
According to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, Beasley checked himself into an unidentified Houston rehabilitation center over the weekend at the urging of the Miami Heat "to address possible substance and psychological issues."
On the surface, this news certainly appears to be connected to Beasley's curious actions from this past weekend, which included deleting his Twitter account after eyebrows were raised regarding a picture he posted that seemed to suggest the presence of drugs in the background.
(Update: Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel reports Beasley had checked himself in before the picture and the ensuing controversy. Also, Winderman confirms that Beasley was already in the league's substance-abuse program, although it's not yet known if he faces any punishment from the league as a result of entering rehab.)
In the sake of fairness, let's not be vague: there were plastic baggies in the background; no more, no less. We'll never know what the bags contained, but the fact that Beasley was linked to marijuana before he played in a single NBA game means he'll never again enjoy the benefit of the doubt.
Before deleting his account, Beasley posted a series of disturbing messages, as captured by Peninsula is Mightier, apparently in response to the questions posed about the picture:
Y do I feel like the whole world is against me!!!!!!! Back on my FTW!!!!! I can't win for losin!!!!!!!!!!Was Beasley simply frustrated with social media or his life in general? Hopefully it's merely the former, but spending some time working things out with a counselor is an important step if it's the latter.
Feelin like it's not worth livin!!!!!!! I'm done
not feelin this at all!!!!!
Michael Beasley Photos
FILE -- This is a Feb. 22, 2009, file photo showing Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley, with a mouthpiece that bears a Batman logo, during a foul shot in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
AP
FILE -- This is a March 20, 2009, file photo showing Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley, right, attempting to get to the basket as he is guarded by New Jersey Nets' Trenton Hassell during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in East Rutherford, N.J. A person briefed on the situation says Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley is battling depression-related issues and is being treated at a Houston rehabilitation facility. Beasley checked into the facility last week, the person told The Associated Press on Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
AP
ATLANTA - MAY 03: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks over Joel Anthony #50 and Michael Beasley #30 of the Miami Heat during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Philips Arena on May 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hawks defeated the Heat 91-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Smith;Joel Anthony;Michael Beasley
Getty Images
ATLANTA - MAY 03: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks scores over Michael Beasley #30 of the Miami Heat during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Philips Arena on May 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hawks defeated the Heat 91-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Smith;Michael Beasley
Getty Images
ATLANTA - MAY 3: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks puts up a shot against Michael Beasley #30 of the Miami Heat in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Smith;Michael Beasley
NBAE/Getty Images
ATLANTA - MAY 3: Michael Beasley #30 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Beasley;Joe Johnson
NBAE/Getty Images
MIAMI - MAY 01: Jamaal Magloire #21 and Michael Beasley #30 of the Miami Heat celebrate after Magloire was fouled grabbing an offensive rebound against the Atlanta Hawks during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at American Airlines Arena on May 1, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Heat defeated the Hawks 98-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jamaal Magloire;Michael Beasley
Getty Images
MIAMI - MAY 01: Michael Beasley #30 of the Miami Heat backs down Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at American Airlines Arena on May 1, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Heat defeated the Hawks 98-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Beasley;Josh Smith
Getty Images
Miami Heat's Michael Beasley squeezes between two Atlanta Hawks defenders including Josh Smith, right, in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs in Miami, Florida, Friday, May 1, 2009. (Robert Duyos/Sun-Sentinel/MCT)
MCT
MIAMI - MAY 1: Michael Beasley #30 of the Miami Heat shoots against Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Arena on May 1, 2009 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Beasley;Josh Smith
NBAE/Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
8-24-2009 @ 3:26PM
joyces78626 said...
Another drugged pro-athlete?? BETTER GET RID OF HIM NOW.
Reply
8-24-2009 @ 6:24PM
pleeseetmee said...
Basketball, drugs, tatoos-- Thug life.
8-24-2009 @ 8:46PM
whatcra said...
"I got a basketball jones, got a basketball jones..."
8-25-2009 @ 11:25AM
reste0123 said...
Was just reading that Melanie Griffith is checking BACK into rehab. Why is it when washed up white trash check into rehab everyone feels sympathtic. Substance abuse knows no boundries, no race, religon, dont bash athletes when there are many, many others that fall victim to this....Just ask good ole boy RUSH (boss hog) limbaugh...
8-24-2009 @ 3:32PM
Boogie said...
This guy is an idiot!!
Reply
8-24-2009 @ 3:47PM
Rudy said...
he looks like a moron in that picture like he was high on something that wasnt weed.
Reply
8-24-2009 @ 4:53PM
boldbigman said...
Wow just from that one pic u observed all of that???Well, hell maybe you are the one that might have the issues and not Beasley.......Man get a life.....I bet u which u had his skillz.....
8-24-2009 @ 3:54PM
Giles said...
And to also be fair to the writer who sarcastically pointed out the bags might not contain marijuana, while I have brought plastic bags with left over food home from family dinners, things like chunks of turkey, etc., so the Bease could have had that, it could also have been a much harder drug than marijuana, especially if it fit in with a general mood of depression. Clearly, the Heat need to assume at this point if he recovers it will be a nice bonus, and he`ll still have to work to improve his defense and rebounding. Big body, but just uses it to score inside. Would have been nice to start Richardson at wing guard, bring Chalmers off the bench, let Cook learn from Rich, but unless the Heat can pick up a forward or two, Rich will need to start up front, so maybe, if the situation is as bad as the Bease`s annual offseason difficulties suggest, he may have to be put on seasonal reserve, allowing the Heat to use his salary to bid for David Lee or some other quality forward to replace him, cut their own losses, but then stand by the Bease as well and hope he recovers. But when it goes from an isolated incideent to a pattern, it gets harder to overreact against it. Could happen to anyone, a shame it has happened to him. But just going to rehab, and pretending it has become THEIR problem is not enough. It is still the Bease`s Beaseness, HE still is the ONLY one who can solve HIS depression, and possibly drug, problem.
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8-24-2009 @ 4:09PM
Koch said...
Kick him out of sports. Sooner or later this will have to happen. People are just plain tired of everyday reading about anopther pro athlete who got arrested for drinking or drugs or is going to rehab. Before someone says that non-athletes drink and do drugs. If caught they usuually lose their jobs.
Reply
8-25-2009 @ 12:55PM
itwaswritten8098 said...
Only if you're caught high or drunk ON THE CLOCK. Otherwise, people don't really care what someone does during their off-time
8-24-2009 @ 5:16PM
bellantbell8087 said...
nookie you r a CLOWN...Go somewhere else with stuff like the ...PLEASE
Reply
8-24-2009 @ 5:30PM
Giles said...
And to be fair to the Bease, I have only seen his tattoo, not the bags with the unknown substance. His comments sound depressed, NOT high. That could be personality and/or alcohol and/or hard drugs, we don`t know. We do know he should probably have to fight to get a spot in the rotation back. And we do know he has sought help, so let`s hope he is seeking a solution, not a cop out that rehab should cure him by magic despite his best efforts to mess up. Only he can overcome the depression, with or without substance abuse, rehab can only help him, not solve the problem for him. Anyone, any gender, any race, can get depressed. Blaming the victim of the depression won`t cure him. Only one instance of drug abuse,last year, two instances of mood disorder. If Bease of his team or firends read this, some of us hope he gets well. Please take care.
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8-24-2009 @ 5:31PM
THE OUTSPOKEN YOUTH said...
U DAMN BLOGGERS ARE SO JUDGEMENTAL THE GUY IS A 20 SOMETHIN YR OLD MILLIONAIRE...WHO WOULDNT HAVE SUM TYPE OF SEX,MONEY, OR DRUG PROBLEM WHEN YOUR THAT YOUNG AND RICH ANDDDD A NBA STAR.....GET OFF HIS BACK GIVE HIM TIME AND HE WILL PULL IT 2GETHER
Reply
8-24-2009 @ 5:32PM
Vic said...
HOPE HE GETS THE HELP HE NEEDS
Reply
8-25-2009 @ 8:08AM
Gorgeous! said...
Hear, hear. Addiction and mental health issues don't give a rat's a** how rich you are, how famous, or how obscure.
Drugs and booze take lives.
8-24-2009 @ 6:00PM
mandeefingers882 said...
Well I happen to know Mr. Beasley very well and he is a great person one of the best friends I had in high school. Nobody is perfect we are all flawed that comes with the territory of being a human being. The difference is that when you are a celebrity your life is under a microscope half of you all leaving negative comments are angry bitter and jealous. One you will never be him, Two nobody will ever care about ure life enough to write an article and last but not least Im sure that you have some skeletons of your own in the closet. However that doesn't concern me I just wish that people wouldn't be so judgemental and for once learn how to encourage people when their down instead of pulling them apart. One thing I know for sure there is no mistake as to why he is in the league he is an great athlete top of our class but he is an even greater person give him a chance to live and learn just like we all did and continue to do.
Reply
8-24-2009 @ 7:23PM
winkee said...
hmm....Melanie Griffith entered rehab also, and there were a total of 2 comments..basically wishing her well. But, let a black high profile person enter rehab, and there are racist, mean commnets. Also blueticklam - guess what, you're the spook, you stupid piece of shit.
Reply
8-25-2009 @ 10:37AM
Mary Dean Howard said...
Amen to your statement he will be okay we should all keep him in our prayers i was taught if you are living in a glass house do not throw any stones because yours might crumbel one day.
8-24-2009 @ 7:23PM
brew said...
u guys own all the pro sport teams if you didnt want"us" in them kick us out, not! cause you know sports would look stupid with out us in them
Reply
8-24-2009 @ 7:36PM
allenpres said...
This kind of stuff happen in every walk of life so why should this be any different.Is it because he's an athlete?He's a person just like everyone else. So If it's a problem lets hope he gets the best help possible.
Reply