Knicks news: Michael Beasley is fine with return to bench

In lieu of Kristaps Porzingis, veteran forward Michael Beasley stepped up for the Knicks, albeit in a losing effort, scoring 30 points agains the Rockets.

Heading into his first campaign with the New York Knicks, veteran forward Michael Beasley voiced much optimism about finally breaking out as a star player in the league.

However, it hasn't exactly panned out in the manner that he had hoped through the first couple of weeks, that has seen him remain in a limited role off the bench. It hasn't changed even with him putting together his best performance of the season by scoring 30 points in Kristaps Porzinigis' absence against the Houston Rockets.

The Knicks forward voiced no concern about gaining no headway on being put into the starting lineup, according to Steve Popper of Northjersey.com.

“No. I’m just doing what the coach needs, what the coach asks, what my teammates ask,” Beasley said. “If I play 36 minutes or I don’t play in 36 games I still got to be in the foxhole. My fellas still got to rely on me. I got to be professional.”

It isn't the first time that Michael Beasley has been in this situation as he has been relegated to a bench role over the last several seasons. He has shown flashes of his scoring ability but has yet to show any sign of sustaining that type of production.

Beasley has started twice this season for the Knicks and is currently averaging 7.2 points on 52.6 percent shooting from the field with 3.0 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game in 13 outings. Although the Knicks would welcome the high-level of offensive production from the 28-year-old, there wasn't any expectation that he can maintain it.

That said, Michael Beasley has plenty of time to showcase to head coach Jeff Hornacek that he can be a consistent contributor in a much larger role.