- Apr 23, 2007
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Drug concerns at heart of Beasley stay; expected back for camp
By Ira Winderman South Florida Sun Sentinel
10:26 p.m. EDT, August 25, 2009
A day after it was confirmed that Michael Beasley had entered a Houston rehab facility, a clearer picture regarding the status of the Miami Heat forward has come into focus.
Sources familiar with the case said Beasley's stay at the facility is primarily related to the NBA's substance-abuse program, with this visit planned in advance.
In addition, while concerns have been raised about Beasley's mental well-being in the wake of web postings by the 20-year-old and comments from those close to him, those concerns have been overstated, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Under league rules, neither those affiliated with individual teams nor those in the league office are allowed to comment on individual cases regarding the NBA's substance-abuse policy.
However Tuesday, a source familiar with the situation said Beasley is expected to be back with the team by the Sept. 28 start of training camp at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Also, while some reports had Beasley entering the rehabilitation center at the urging of the Heat, teams are not allowed to take any such initiative in the program, which is administered solely by the league, through its agreement with the players' association.
In a series of a radio interviews Tuesday, Michael Beasley Sr., the forward's father, opened a window into the situation.
Speaking on both WQAM and 790-The Ticket, the elder Beasley strongly denied recent marijuana use by his son, but did address how off-court and on-court issues, including the recent birth of a daughter, have created a stressful environment.
"It went from being fun to a job now," his father said of the transition from being the No. 2 overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft out of Kansas State. "So I think the demands of playing 82 games, making appearances, I think is taking a toll on him.
"I was surprised, because I didn't know that it was to this extent."
He also mentioned the impact of the May birth of his single son's first daughter, Mikaiya.
"I think it's the overwhelming responsibility of being a father. I think that caught up to him," his father said. "I know he's under a little stress."
The Heat forward was in Houston in advance of his posting of a much-scrutinized Twitter photo that some have perceived as showing the presence of baggies of marijuana in the background. The NBA drug policy covers both usage and possession.
"I talked to some people and Mike wasn't using marijuana," Michael Beasley Sr. said. "I think whoever took that picture was using it or had it in their presence and he was just getting a tattoo. From my understanding, he wasn't getting high or he didn't test positive for no drugs or anything."
Teammate Mario Chalmers, who, like Beasley, was fined by the NBA last year after an incident at the league's rookie symposium linked to marijuana use, offered a message of support on his Twitter account that read, "Shoutout to my boy mike Beas man. He good yall stop trippin on the situation".
Beasley was placed in the league's substance-abuse program in the wake of that incident, although he was not required to re-attend the rookie program this month, as was Chalmers.
Heat teammate Dwyane Wade offered support with a Tuesday Twitter post that read, "Everyone say a prayer for our lil brother,but please don't judge the man. we all make mistakes,beas i'm here if you need anything."
Also offering support to Beasley was teammate Jermaine O'Neal, who posted on his Twitter account, "i need for yall to put my boy mike beasly in your prayers!... What he is doing is not a negative as far as going to rehab, it a blessing and a good thing and im looking forward to playing with him 09-10".
The elder Beasley requested patience with his son.
"He'll reach his expectations," he said, "but I think he's going to have to do it in his time, not what everybody else is expecting him to do."
Michael Beasley Sr. also dispelled the notion that pressures created by the Heat exacerbated the situation.
"You have to follow rules and you have to abide by the team rules," he said.
Beasley's case has drawn the inspection of Dr. Drew Pinsky, the addictive-medicine specialist and pop-culture icon known for his work on VH1 and MTV. During an ESPN interview, he addressed reports of Beasley simultaneously being treated for mental-health issues.
"He is in a chemical-dependency program and there is one thing you treat in a chemical-dependency program and that's addiction," he said. "They're doing the right thing. They've put him in a long-term, residential chemical-dependency program."
Pinsky, who said he has worked with the NBA as well as Major League Baseball and the NFL, praised the NBA's approach.
"I guarantee you he's getting top-notch care," he said. "They do an exceptional job."
By Ira Winderman
[h1]Heat's Beasley admitted into rehab center[/h1]
By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley(notes) checked into an unidentified Houston rehabilitation hospital over the weekend, multiple sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Sources said the Heat encouraged Beasley to check into the facility to address possible substance and psychological issues. He is expected to spend time with former NBA player and coach John Lucas(notes), who is renown for his success in working with troubled players.
When reached Monday morning, Miami Heat spokesman Tim Donovan declined comment. An NBA spokesman also declined comment.
Beasley's admission comes after a handful of disturbing Twitter posts were attributed to him on Friday afternoon.
"Y do I feel like the whole world is against me…I can't win for losin," Beasley wrote.
"Feelin like it's not worth livin!!!!!!! I'm done."
Beasley's frustration had been born out of a posed Internet photo on his personal Twitter page. In the photo, Beasley showed off http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/&;_ylt=AvOcX9GeqHyHgMnLidkn_SfTjdIFon his back while two plastic baggies could be seen on a table in the background. Some people have speculated on the bags' contents, even though the clarity of the photo makes it difficult to determine. After the photo became a fast-moving Internet story, Beasley posted the messages on his Twitter account before the page was shut down on Saturday night.
Even before the Heat made him the No. 2 pick after Derrick Rose(notes) in the 2008 draft, Beasley has been a target of criticism inside and outside the organization for his immaturity. From team president Pat Riley to superstar Dwyane Wade(notes), the Heat have been frustrated with Beasley's clownish attitude and personal decisions.
The NBA fined Beasley $50,000 for being in a room where marijuana was found at the NBA's rookie symposium last summer. Beasley had slipped out the door when security officials arrived on the scene, leaving Mario Chalmers(notes) and Darrell Arthur(notes) to face punishment alone. Riley later found out Beasley had been in the room and forced him to confess to league officials. So far this summer, Miami had been unwilling to include Beasley in trade talks with the Utah Jazz for Carlos Boozer(notes).
Beasley had a solid rookie season for Miami, averaging 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds.
AdrianWojnarowski
