Via USA Today
Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley was arrested in Scottsdale on Tuesday morning and could be facing charges for drug possession, according to Scottsdale police.
Police stopped Beasley in Scottsdale at 1:15 a.m. Tuesday for a traffic violation in the area near Scottsdale and McCormick roads, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.
According to police, officers searched his vehicle after smelling marijuana coming from the car and confiscated narcotics located in the driver area.
Beasley was arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession and released from custody. He could be facing charges for drug possession.
The incident is not related to sexual assault claims made against Beasley earlier this year. Police said that the case is still open and no formal charges have been brought against Beasley.
In February, police cited Beasley for several offenses including speeding, driving on a suspended Arizona license, and driving without a vehicle license plate or registration.
Here is the Scottsdale Police report:
On 08/06/13 at 1:15 am SPD made a stop for a traffic violation in the area of Scottsdale and McCormick Roads. As the officer approached the vehicle he could smell marijuana emanating from within the car. A search of the driver's area recovered marijuana that was impounded. The driver, identified as Michael Beasley, was booked pending charges for possession of marijuana and released.
Ok, I'll admit it I have been a Michael Beasley apologist for awhile now. I've always thought he was just a guy who needed to be in the right situation for him to succeed. However, after this arrest I don't know that I can believe that myself anymore.
Beasley was an absolute beast in college during his one year at Kansas State averaging 26.2 ppg along with 12.4 rpg on 53% shooting. Those numbers were so impressive that many people thought he would be the number one pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Beasley ended up going number two to Miami after Derrick Rose was selected by his hometown Chicago Bulls with the number one pick. Since being selected Beasley has had a very tumultuous career.
Beasley had a rough start to his NBA career when, during the rookie transition camp he was found with fellow rookies Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers in a hotel room that smelled strongly of burning marijuana. Chalmers and Arthur were both dismissed from the camp and fined $20K each. Ultimately, Beasley was not fined nor dismissed, however Pat Riley would force Beasley to confess that he had slipped out the door when police arrived. Beasley would be fined $50K by the NBA thus marking the beginning of his many off the court issues.
In 2009 following a very strong rookie campaign Beasley checked himself into rehab for "stress related issues" but many speculated that it was for his marijuana usage. Beasley completed his rehab and returned to Miami for his sophomore season where he appeared to have improved. Beasley managed to stay out of trouble during this season, and it appeared he may have things on track.
In the Summer of 2010 Beasley was traded from Miami to Minnesota in exchange for draft picks which would allow the Heat room to sign both LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Beasley seemed to embrace his role for the Timberwolves as he was the 2nd leading scorer as well as the 2nd leading rebounder. Beasley averaged 19 points and 5 rebounds during his first year with the Timberwolves, and although it wasn't the most efficient year he'd ever had Beasley looked poised to finally live up to his potential.
Unfortunately this was not the case, and Beasley had an abysmal 2011-2012 season. Beasley ended up only playing in 47 games that season and averaged a career low 11.5 ppg and 4.4 rpg. During this year Beasley was pulled over while speeding through Minnesota suburb Minnetonka. When he was pulled over marijuana was allegedly found in Beasley's vehicle, and he was subsequently fined and ticketed for the marijuana after claiming that it belonged to a friend whom he had just dropped off.
Though Beasley struggled during his last year and seemed to be reverting back to his old ways the Phoenix Suns decided that they wanted to make Beasley a cornerstone of their organization. Phoenix recognized his immense talent and believed that if they brought him on he could finally live up to his potential. Yet again, this was not the case.
Beasley had the worst year of his career, averaging career lows in points, rebounds, and shooting just barely over 40%. Phoenix's hope for Beasley's resurgence were quickly dashed, and he started in only 20 of the 75 games in which he played.
Phoenix did not make the playoffs this past season, and were one of the worst teams in the league. Beasley was inked to a 3yr/$18M deal which means that he may still be around for two more years which will handicap the Suns a bit financially. However, there is actually a chance that Beasley's contract may end up being voided whether by amnesty or by what else? More off the court issues.
In May of this year it was reported that Beasley was being investigated for a sexual assault charge that occurred in January. The alleged assault occurred in Phoenix and is still under investigation by authorities, and has yet to be resolved. While Beasley may not have committed the crime, it doesn't matter at this point. His image as a serious player in the NBA is going to take a beating from this whether he's acquitted or found guilty.
This brings us to his most recent marijuana charge. The police report and all of the details are listed at the beginning of this article so I'm not going to discuss that, but I do have one question. How in the hell does Michael Beasley continue to screw up like this? This is his job, this is what pays his bills. Should he be waived by the Suns it will most likely be quite difficult for him to find work with another organization. He may still be signed by someone, but those lucrative contract offers are not going to be coming anytime soon.
The NBA cares a lot about it's public image, and teams do too. Teams will take second, and even third chances on a lot of players hoping they can turn their image around. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Most teams however, don't gives guys 4th and 5th chances and that's where we are with Michael Beasley. Like I said, this is the guys livelihood and I can tell you right now there's not a real high demand for people with only a year of college completed. At the end of the day, Beasley needs to get his head on straight, though it may be too late should he turn himself around he may still be able to be the player he could have been, and he may find himself another roster spot.
I used to be a Michael Beasley apologist, but not anymore. There comes a point and time where you can no longer defend a guy, I'm officially at that point. I'll root for him if he can turn it around, but until then, I don't really care, and really, the NBA probably doesn't anymore either.
Follow me on Twitter @DbRedickulous
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