LeBron James, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Manu Ginobili, and Draymond Green. These are the guys perceived to be in possession of high basketball IQs. But for every one of them, there are the likes of Michael Beasley, J.R. Smith, Nick Young, and Lance Stephenson, who do not come across to basketball fans as intelligent hoopers.

Don’t tell that to new Los Angeles Lakers forward Michael Beasley, though, as he came into the defense of that group, saying that it’s unfair for people to belittle their basketball acumen, per Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times.

“If everyone does their job right and stop judging some players, me mainly, you'll figure out that guys like me, Nick Young, JR Smith and Lance Stephenson and guys like that actually know how to play basketball, actually know how to basketball games, actually know how to win basketball games and actually know how to get along with others.”

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Obviously, Beasley just wants people to put some respect on their names, which by and large, they really do deserve.

Then again, fans would not have the impression that they’re not as sharp as the average player if it were not for their numerous Shaqtin’ a Fool-worthy moments on the court and eccentricities off of it.

If anything, many do find it ironic that Beasley, Stephenson, and JaVale McGee are now on the same boat as James and Rondo. With that said, the contrast between those two groups’ basketball smarts will be further highlighted next season.