Jun 26, 2008 - 11:18 PM
0 shoutsNEW YORK (Ticker) - Scoring - not size - mattered most to the Miami Heat.
With the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft, the Heat tabbed high-scoring forward Michael Beasley on Thursday night.
Despite the fact that Beasley was measured at 6-7 - three inches shorter than his listed height in college - his superb scoring ability could not be overlooked by Miami.
"I hope we're going to bring a lot smiles to Miami," Beasley said. "We're going to bring a better record to Miami and hopefully win a championship."
Beasley averaged 26.2 points and a nation-leading 12.4 rebounds in his one and only season at Kansas State, scoring over 30 points on 13 occasions.
Possessing a natural scoring ability, as evidenced by three 40-point performances, including a career-high 44, Beasley has a great touch around the basket, allowing him to finish in other ways besides a dunk.
The smooth lefthander not only has shooting range out to the 3-point arc but he can face up a defender in the post and shoot it in his face.
Beasley should provide a welcome addition to the Heat, who posted a league-worst 15-67 record last season despite the presence of superstar guard Dwyane Wade.
One other notable stat for Beasley: He posted a nation-leading 28 double-doubles, breaking the freshman mark previously held by Syracuse's Carmelo Anthony, an All-Star forward for the Denver Nuggets.
