Ahead of returning to American Airlines Center, his first NBA home, New York Knicks forward Michael Beasley put his former coach with the Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra, on blast in a very subtle way.
Beasley expressed certain frustrations he had while with the Heat, but quickly noted that he's not trying to create any heat (no pun intended) between him and his old mentor. Here's what he shared with Mike Berman of the New York Post:
“I feel I could've gotten more out of that organization. I feel Spo' could’ve believed in me a lot more than he did. It’s in the past, [there's] no love lost.”
“I love Spo. I love Spo. Spo's one of my favorite people. Never bad blood. There was never bad blood with us. I was frustrated a few nights, not playing, and things like that. I don't got anything against Spo, never had.”
When told about the comments, the mild-mannered Erik Spoelstra made sure to completely diffuse any attempts that the reporters might have of brewing anything. ‘Spo' playfully said that “[Michael Beasley] threw him under the bus.”
Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel also quoted Spoelstra in saying the following:
“He's always been able to put the ball in the basket. It's all been about the right timing, the right fit. I really like the way they're using him right now. He had some moments like that last year with Milwaukee. I thought Jason Kidd did a really good job using him, as well.”
The Heat selected Michael Beasley with the second overall pick in the loaded 2008 NBA Draft, a draft class that included future MVPs Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.
Though Beasley has led a rather underwhelming NBA career, he's continually proving that he can be efficient when on the floor. Since 2015, the Knicks veteran has been averaging 22.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per 36 minutes.
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