Malik Beasley, at this point in his career, has been something of a journeyman. The Bucks is the fifth team he’s been on in his seven-year career so far, spending last season with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz. With this star-studded team and new coach, Beasley is looking to make Milwaukee a home and become an impact player.
Malik Beasley’s Role with the Bucks
The Athletic put out an article talking about who they think will be the breakout players on each team this upcoming season, and Beasley was the breakout player picked for the Bucks. In the article, it says that Beasley is committed to being the defensive stopper for this team, showing the willingness to guard the opposing team’s best player every game.
New Bucks Coach Adrian Griffin talked about Beasley’s role with this team on both ends of the floor. He said that Beasley will be getting the toughest assignments as far as being the defender. “First, he was playing hard on defense…We talked about this prior to this game and his role going forward into the season, that he’s going to have to take the toughest assignments most nights,” said Coach Griffin when asked about Beasley after the 102-105 win over the Chicago Bulls on October 8th.
Although Beasley will be getting the toughest assignments on defense, he will be getting the easily shot looks in his career, playing alongside willing playmakers in Damian Lillard, Giannis, and Khris Middleton. Beasley was never known as a defensive player, making a career so far on his shooting ability from 3-point range as a career .378% shooter.
So Coach Griffin will be asking him to assume a new role in becoming a 3 and D guy. A backcourt of Lillard and Beasley on defense can be somewhat suspect, both being undersized (6’2 and 6’4, respectively). But if Beasley is making a consistent effort on that side of the ball, that’s half the battle, the effort.
Griffin has been vocal about the fifth starting position that will have to be earned. So far, the starters are Lillard, Middleton, Giannis and Brook Lopez. Beasley has talked about how he will do whatever the coaching staff asks from him, and he’s prepared to start spreading the floor for the rest of the team with his shooting.
The idea of having Beasley with the starters gives the Bucks four knockdown shooters in the starting lineup. So scoring will not be a problem for the Bucks as they will put up some high-scoring nights. The main problem will be the defense, but as long as Beasley makes the effort to become a better defender and continues his shooting ability at a respectable level, he will be due for a breakout season.
