Michael Beasley Wants to Become the Timberwolves’ Team Leader

Michael Beasley is undergoing several transformations this offseason – physically and intellectually – and says the next step in his life and career is one where he becomes a leader. From the Star Tribune: “In the end, Michael Beasley’s ‘All Star Classic’ became more of a friends and acquaintances thing. Organizers promoted appearances by Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and other NBA stars, but Friday’s turnout at Osseo High included several of Beasley’s Timberwolves teammates, Golden State’s Dorell Wright, a collection of summer-league players and former WNBA player Tamara Moore in one of those typical 179-170 pickup games won by Team Beasley over the Visitors. … Former Lakers guard Norm Nixon was there to support Beasley, with whom he has worked much of this prolonger NBA summer. … Nixon’s influence can be seen in Beasley’s slimmer and more flexible body. Nixon’s wife is Debbie Allen, the actress, director and famed choreographer who owns an L.A. dance studio and Nixon and Beasley spent time there this summer applying the stretching elements of dance to Beasley’s body. Included one day was a lesson from a prima ballerina with the Bolshoi. … He also has mentored Beasley – who was ticketed for marijuana possession in June and pushed a fan in the face during a streetball game in New York City in August – away from the court. Nixon has pushed Beasley to tighten the circle of people around him. … Beasley said one step to becoming that leader is becoming more active in the community where he plays, and thus Friday night’s game. ‘I feel like we need a leader,’ Beasley said. ‘We’ve got a young talented group and all we need is the right coach and the right floor general… I want to be, I think I can be that guy.’”