NUGGETS’ BEASLEY WORKS ON MENTAL MISTAKES»
Malik Beasley’s brain cramp against Phoenix was exactly the type of play he and Kobe Bryant had worked to eliminate.
Beasley had earned one of the coveted invites to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy camp in late August. It was the same camp that Jamal Murray, Beasley’s close friend and teammate, called the “highlight” of his summer. There, Beasley soaked up Mamba’s message about mental acuity.
“It takes a lot of preparation, a lot of mental aspect of the game,” Beasley told The Denver Post. “I learned a lot over that camp. It was a good experience because I learned how to prepare for games, how to take care of opponents.”
Beasley got Bryant’s phone number after the camp. “We’re going to be working a lot this season,” he said.
To Beasley’s credit, he owned his crucial fourth-quarter foul on Suns point guard Ricky Rubio Friday night. With 1.8 seconds remaining and the Nuggets up by 3, Beasley fouled Rubio on a halfcourt shot. It sent Rubio to the line for three free throws, which he made, to force overtime. Denver won in the extra period.
“Just an immature play by me,” Beasley said. “I’ve got to learn time and score. I heard something else from the coaches but just got to be accountable for that.”
What was more telling than even Beasley’s honesty was that he was on the court in the first place.
Coach Michael Malone rode his backup shooting guard throughout the entire fourth quarter and overtime session, rationalizing that his streaky scoring was more beneficial than a defensive upgrade. Aside from the glaring mistake, Beasley rewarded his coach’s decision with 11 points in the fourth quarter and an excellent defensive switch on the game’s deciding play. It was Beasley who took over Gary Harris’ defensive assignment as Suns guard Devin Booker eyed a game-winning field goal. Beasley stuck with
Booker, who was eventually denied at the rim by Torrey Craig’s game-saving swat.
In just the second game of the season, Malone went with reserves Beasley and Jerami Grant in crunch time instead of starters Paul Millsap and Will Barton. It was a massive vote of confidence for Beasley, who has a lot riding on this season.
Despite a “very aggressive” attempt by the Nuggets, according to a league source, to reach a deal with Beasley ahead of the Oct. 21 deadline, the fourth-year shooting guard will play this season without his next contract in hand. What he might command in restricted free agency and whether the Nuggets would be willing to match any offers, is up to him.
“I put in a lot of work, I’m confident,” Beasley said. “I don’t see it as (a gamble), I just see it as I’m out there to play and do my job and do that every night and take it the same way.
“I feel like I have no pressure at all . ... This is basketball, so it’s going to be fun. I put in a lot of work, so it’s going to be easy.”