Heat rookie Michael Beasley said Monday that trust remains an issue with coach Erik Spoelstra, and a lack of it might be keeping the second overall NBA Draft pick out of the starting lineup.
Beasley had expected to get another shot at a starting role with power forward Udonis Haslem likely to miss the final five regular-season games with a thumb injury.
After initially saying Beasley would take over for Haslem, Spoelstra decided to start seldom-used forward Yakhouba Diawara in Saturday's victory at Washington.
Spoelstra, who has been less than pleased with Beasley's inconsistent play on defense, said Monday that he would keep his options open at power forward. But the Heat (41-36) could start Diawara again Tuesday night against New Orleans (47-29) at AmericanAirlines Arena.
"It's a trust thing,"
said Beasley, who started the season's first 15 games but has since come off the bench. "I'm a rookie. I get touch fouls. It's what is best. [I'm] just listening to Coach. He obviously knows more than me and has a lot more years in this than I do. It's respecting the elders."
Spoelstra said he explained to Beasley the preference to maintain continuity, which means keeping Beasley as the go-to option on a second unit that also features swingmen Daequan Cook and James Jones and center Jamaal Magloire.
Beasley, Miami's third-leading scorer, averages 13.2 points and five rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game.
"He actually agreed,"
Spoelstra said Monday of his weekend discussion with Beasley. "He wanted to stay in that role and see how it goes for the next game."
The Heat got a significant boost from its bench in its past two games and hopes the production continues as it heads toward the playoffs.
Miami got 38 points from the bench, including 13 from Beasley, in Saturday's 118-104 victory at Washington. The bench contributed 46 points, with 14 from Beasley on 7-of-9 shooting, in Friday's 97-92 win at Charlotte.
Heat guard Dwyane Wade has noticed an increase in confidence among the reserves, especially when Beasley is on top of his game.
"They've been consistent,"
Wade said. "When they bring more energy, it's been good to see."
Spoelstra has said that managing Beasley -- the expectations that come with being such a high pick, the popularity among fans, the rookie growing pains and the inconsistency on defense -- has been a challenge. He has praised Beasley for his development but also has been adamant about holding Beasley accountable.
Beasley was drafted to be the franchise's power forward of the future and is expected to eventually replace Haslem as the starter.
That still might be a ways off. Spoelstra said he has considered several scenarios to get by until Haslem returns for the playoffs. One option Spoelstra ruled out was playing Magloire at center and moving Jermaine O'Neal to forward.
If Beasley was disappointed about being passed over, he was able to suppress any lingering hard feelings.
"If I was getting more minutes, I might be as good as they say I am,"
Beasley said of the encouragement he has received from players and coaches around the league. "Right now, I'm doing what the team needs, being a spark off the bench -- just trying to help make a playoff push."
