No coincidence these opinions are from Rivals, and guys who watched all year...
THIS WEEK: The Miami Heat appears to be considering taking O.J. Mayo ahead of Michael Beasley with the No. 2 overall pick in the June 26 NBA Draft. Would you take Mayo over Beasley?
BOB MCCLELLAN
Not a chance. I think
O.J. Mayo is going to be a very good pro, a future All-Star even, but all of these guys who are jumping off the
Michael Beasley bandwagon are nuts. Seriously just because he measured 6 feet 7 without shoes I'm supposed to believe he's going to stink in the league? He wasn't any taller at Kansas State last year and all he did was average 26.2 ppg and 12.4 rpg. Not bad for a ******.
Beasley grabbed at least 10 rebounds in all but four of the Wildcats' 33 games. He knows how to go get it. And when he gets it, he knows what to do with it. He scored less than 15 points only twice. That's ridiculous for anyone, let alone a freshman.
Don't wanna take my word for it? Here's what George Mason coach Jim Larranaga told me about Beasley after his team beat K-State in November at the Old Spice Classic despite 30 points and 10 rebounds from B-Easy: "He scores so easily, he rebounds at both ends, he plays above the rim. … He has a beautiful shooting touch, and he keeps his game very simple.
"I explained to my players he doesn't make moves; he just makes shots. He doesn't show you what he can do, then misses the shot."
Larranaga then proceeded to link Beasley to four Hall of Fame players. He spoke of a drive in which Beasley took one dribble from the top of the key and scored a layup and said it was reminiscent of Dr. J or Connie Hawkins. Then he said, "The guys I would compare him to are Wes Unseld as a rebounder, and he has Elvin Hayes' jump shot."
Anybody wanna pass on that?!?
JASON KING
If Miami picks O.J. Mayo ahead of Michael Beasley, it would be one of the more boneheaded decisions in the recent history of the NBA Draft.
Heck, I'm still baffled as to why Beasley isn't a lock to go No. 1 to Chicago. Beasley is the best player the college game has seen in more than a decade - sorry, Mr. Durant - and more people would realize that if he hadn't played at Kansas State.
He's an NBA-ready player who will make an immediate impact in Miami. Unless, of course, Pat Riley and Co. have a brain cramp. Mayo is a fine player, but he's not in the same class as Beasley.
MIKE HUGUENIN
While I think Mayo will be a solid pro, I can't see a team such as Miami picking him ahead of Beasley.
The Heat have Dwayne Wade at the 2-guard spot. No way you add Mayo unless you think he can play the point, and I find it hard to believe the Heat think Mayo would be a good point guard with Wade in the same backcourt.
If you want a shoot-first point guard, take Mayo. If you're looking for someone to complement Wade, no way do you take Mayo; I can't see him sublimating his game for anybody.
And the Heat needs frontcourt help; specifically, they need a
young forward who can score (Shawn Marion is 30 and his best days are behind him).
Maybe some teams are scared off by Beasley measuring in at 6-7 at the draft camp. So what? He can score and he'll be at least an adequate NBA rebounder. Is he going to be a defensive demon? No. But you can say the same about Mayo.
In short, when it comes to Beasley vs. Mayo, go big. Take Beasley.
ANDREW SKWARA
I've wrestled back and forth on this one. If Beasley hadn't measured at 6-7 I wouldn't even consider taking Mayo first.
But, at 6-7, can Beasley be a dominant post player in the NBA? Height can be overrated, but there are only so many Wes Unselds and Charles Barkleys (Unseldwas listed at 6-7 and Barkley was 6-6).
Mayo (6-3), who has the size to play point guard and shooting guard in the NBA, has been called the player the most ready for the NBA in this draft and Iagree. Mayo is more polished than Beasley or
DerrickRose at this stage of their careers. He is already a good outside shooter with range out to the NBA 3-point line, a solid ball-handler and a gooddefender.
Still, I can't help thinking Beasley will end up being a better. Players don't put up the gaudy stats he did in the Big 12 by just being a ball hogor taking advantage of smaller defenders. He plays with great determination and owns an array of skills, including a solid mid-range jumper that I believe willsteadily improve. That's what you need to overcome a lack of height. That's what you need to be special. That's why Beasley should be taken aheadof Mayo.