By Paul Casey Gotham

And so it goes. The fine city of Cleveland removed the mural of their chosen one. Does this mean the entire town has entered a “witness” protection program? The city that recovered from the burning river turned to burning the jerseys of their former hero.

With the ruse complete, Pat Riley delivered Chris Bosh and LeBron James to South Beach. The players in this mystery did their best to make it look like their decision took time, but it is undeniable that this deal was done a long time ago.

Pieces in place, Riley quickly turned to the task of completing his roster.  His first move after “the decision” was to trade the embattled Michael Beasley. This gave Riley the necessary cap room to fill out the lineup.

Cap room casualty – hardly what Beasley had in mind when taken as the second pick of the 2008 draft. After using his athleticism to dominate on the court during his one year in college, Beasley seemed destined for NBA stardom. As impractical as it may seem, Beasley should have been to Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh what Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell was to Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish.

Witness protection?

Impractical because in 2010 a player of of Beasley’s potential dictates a big contract. It is that contract which seemed to offer so much opportunity two years ago, that has taken away Beasley’s opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Or did it?

Whether he realized it or not, Beasley had a two-year tryout with the Heat. He had two years to play with one of the best (by the way, I consider Wade to be THE best BASKETBALL player in the league. James and Kobe have superior athleticism, but we’ll leave that to another discussion) players in the league. Unfortunately, his off-the-court actions brought more attention to him than what he did on-the-court. Although not alone, it was not hard to imagine that Beasley was a source of  frustration for Wade over the past two seasons. Wade recently lobbied for the Heat to re-sign Udonis Haslem. No such effort was made on Beasley’s part.

Cuyahoga on fire

His numbers seem fine for a player just two years into the league: 14 points to go with just under six rebounds per game. But it is in those moments when Beasley must become part of a system where he most struggles. He often looks incapable of working within the structure of a team.

Beasley, like so many players of the last few years, seems imprisoned by his own athleticism. Watching Beasley at Kansas State, fans saw his ability to overpower weaker players. In the NBA, on a nightly basis he goes up against similar athleticism to his own. The result, most times, was an exercise in frustration.

Now, Beasley has been banished to Minnesota. If this were a Shakespeare play, Beasley might cry out: “Ha banishment! be merciful, say death.” Minnesota – the place where a kid from a Spain opted to not go. Beasley has no choice. Not at least if he wants to continue in the NBA. Beasley might drift into anonymity. Hopefully, his will serve as a cautionary tale to others that follow.

Here’s hoping he worked with a sound financial adviser. If he gets a second contract in the NBA, Beasley will more than likely have to accept a decrease in pay.

Two years ago, Beasley looked on his way to a long career. Two years later, he is the most recent example of the natural selection process.

By Paul Gotham

Reckoning Season

Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady face personal crossroads this upcoming season. Both entered the league with much fanfare. Golden State chose Carter with the fifth choice of the ’98 draft. Toronto picked T-Mac ninth in the ’97 draft.

Since draft night Carter has played on teams that have won three playoff series. As of now, Carter does not know the NBA playoffs beyond the second round.

McGrady is still waiting to celebrate the winning of a playoff series.

Carter joins an Orlando Magic team that fell one game shy of the NBA title.

When Hedo Turkoglu opted for Toronto and its Turkish community, Magic GM, Otis Smith, acted quickly and acquired Carter. On the surface, Carter seems like an upgrade.  The ’99 Rookie-of-the Year is physically imposing. Orlando’s half-court set thrives on 4-Out around Dwight Howard leaving plenty of open floor. Carter should be able to capitalize and use his ability to go off the dribble.

But Carter will need to play a role supporting role with the Magic – something he has never seemed comfortable with in the past. Turkoglu’s biggest contribution to the Magic might have been his ability to let the game come to him. Rarely, did Turkoglu force a shot. Carter, on the other hand, might be responsible for single handedly exposing the limitations of the Iso set.

Making Carter’s plight more challenging is the overall improvement of the Eastern Conference. Add to that the loss of Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee (traded for Carter) and Orlando could find themselves exiting early in the 2010 playoffs.

Can Carter pick up the slack?

McGrady watched as his Houston Rockets eliminated Portland in the first round and lost in seven games to the eventual champion, Los Angeles Lakers. Many stuck a fork in the Rockets. McGrady spent most of the season sidelined with a knee injury. Then the Rockets shuffled Alston to Orlando leaving second-year man Aaron Brooks to run the point guard position. Rather than collapsing, the Rockets had a revival.

With the return of McGrady to lineup, will Houston improve? Or will the Rockets regress to a previous state of playoff incompetence?

Beasley Checks Into Re-Hab

ESPN is reporting that Miami Heat first round pick, Michael Beasley checked himself into a rehab center in Houston. Details are unclear, but it appears the rookie is suffering from chemical dependence.

This is not meant as a cut on Beasley, but how many of us saw this coming? Beasley lacked maturity at Kansas State. He argued with teammates and coaches. Sure, he is an impressive physical specimen with incredible athletic abilities. When will NBA teams figure out that it takes more than athleticism to be a professional?

Beasley was Miami’s second leading scorer. Perhaps, the best statement about Beasley might be that from Dwyane Wade. While Wade hasn’t come right out and directly criticized Beasley, the Heat’s leading scorer is making waves about his future. Wade has lobbied for the Heat to bring in more talent. Is that because Wade knows Beasley is four years away from consistently contributing?

Beasley, as many young players, needed an opportunity to grow without the pressures of playing professional. Instead he gets thrust into a spot where he lacks the coping mechanisms to succeed.

Here’s hoping Beasley gets the help needed to work through his problems. Here’s hoping NBA execs let kids make their mistakes in an environment that has the potential to nuture.

Got some Splinters to share? Post ‘em here.

Tyler Hansbrough - Junior/ UNC 23.4PPG, 10.5RPG – Hansbrough is a contact magnet and knows how to make to the contact work for him in the paint. Seems almost reluctant to step out and knock down a shot, but understands the need to open up the defense. Only fault is that he wears Carolina Blue.

Luke Harangody - Sophomore/ Notre Dame 20.2PPG, 10.3RPG – Harangody is the primary reason for ND’s success this year. Everything on the offensive end runs through the Schereville, Indiana native. Huge game (32 pts. and 16 boards) in a loss at UConn. Also had 31pts. and 14 rebounds against Providence.

Michael Beasley - Freshman/ Kansas State 26.2PPG, 12.6RPG – Supremely talented and incredibly gifted. Has been running roughshod over the Big 12. Has scored 30 or more points eleven times – including 30 vs. Texas, 44 vs. Baylor, and 40 vs. Missouri in three of the Wildcats previous four games.

Jon Brockman - Junior/ Washington 17.8PPG, 11.8RPG – Brockman has put together 21 double-doubles in 28 games – including 12 pt. / 17 rebound perfomance in an upset win of conference rival – UCLA. Earlier in the year averaged 22 pts. and 15 rebounds as the Huskies beat Oregon, Oregon St., and Arizona St.

Paul Harris - Sophomore/ Syracuse 14.PPG, 8.6RPG – Harris’s stock is on the rise – has scored in double figures for the last eight games. Harris scored 24 and grabbed 11 rebounds in a two-point loss to UConn. Also had 22 and 12 last weekend against Notre Dame.