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Except for Malik Beasley.
The keeper only played six games in total under his new coach in the second half of last season. He missed the rest due to suspension and injury. So Finch just got a taste of Beasley’s impact on the team.
“It was hard not being able to help the team, play the way I love to play and be there with the guys,” said Beasley. “Sitting on the sidelines was difficult. I did all I could to get involved, cheer on the team, coach the guys, come out for them, whatever I could do.
That’s not to say the Wolves coach doesn’t have some familiarity with the sniper. Finch was an assistant coach in Denver during Beasley’s rookie year with the Nuggets. This is where Minnesota derives many of their defensive principles, so Beasley is already familiar with that pattern.
He also had an existing relationship with Finch.
“Me and him have a great relationship. We talk about a lot of different things, family and things like that, ”Beasley said. “I think that’s the main part and then we both like to compete. He knows it for me, so I feel like we’re going to be good. We have a great relationship and we’re going to sort out a lot. “
Beasley was a big hunk for Minnesota last season, fresh out of the four-year overtime he signed the previous offseason. He averaged 19.6 points per game while shooting 40% over a 3-point range on 8.7 garish attempts per game. Beasley is a prominent ground spacer in an offense that features dynamic weapons like Anthony Edwards, D’Angelo Russell, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
The keeper said he has the potential to improve the ball with his cut and run in transition, but Finch said Beasley also focused on his decision-making and handling of the ball, two areas where he struggled at times during the 2020-21 season. campaign. Beasley’s mission is to turn his weaknesses into strengths.
“He gets so knocked off the line that he can turn those opportunities into really good shots for him and his teammates,” said Finch.
Finch was impressed with Beasley’s improved defense, stressing his concern for being in the right places at this end of the pitch. He also lets offense come to him. Both are important attributes when playing alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves ‘Big 3’ weapons.
Currently, Beasley is in the process of getting into peak condition. Beasley served jail time this summer, part of his sentence after pleading guilty to drug charges and threats of violence stemming from the incident outside his home last November when he pointed out a gun on a family parked in their driveway.
Beasley was able to train during that sentence over the summer due to a work release.
“I was able to make sure I was going to work every day and going hard,” he said.
But after his prison term ended, Finch said Wolves asked the keeper to take time to make sure his mind was mentally correct ahead of the season. Beasley said he needed the space, and after that he was ready to roll. He started to gain momentum again when the team gathered for a pre-training camp in Miami.
“He came a bit behind his teammates naturally (with conditioning). We expected it, ”Finch said. “He caught up to them. He’s a workaholic, probably where everyone else is right now.
Even if this is not entirely true, it certainly will be one day. Beasley is a gym rat. In Minnesota’s preseason opener Monday against New Orleans, Beasley played 19 minutes, scoring 3 for 8 from the field for six points.
“I thought he was playing well. I thought defensively he did well, ”said Finch. “He didn’t shoot any shots, but he got a lot of really good ones.”
On Tuesday, Beasley stayed on the pitch after practice, gaining time 5-5 with other less established teammates.
“I’m super excited. Basketball is back. I’m ready to make it, ready to show the world we’re a great team,” Beasley said. “Even I, no matter what you’re going through, you can push and fight. “
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