This was one of the more powerful/raw discussions from a pro athlete I’ve ever seen. @thepivot is hosted by former NFL players w three very diff personalities – which can make the guests feel comfortable opening up.
For bkgrnd, Michael Beasley was the 2nd pick in the 2008 NBA draft, going rt after Derrick Rose. Beasley was (is) one of the most naturally gifted guys to get drafted into the league w/in the last two decades.
Despite his talent, he became a journeyman – playing for 7 diff teams, never a true starter for 40 min a game. He was “misunderstood” – a guy w soulful eyes, who always seemed like the weight of the world was on his shoulders, appearing misunderstood.
We never got the full story from Beasley during his prime playing days – maybe bc he felt misunderstood…or bc he didn’t trust those arnd him…or bc he felt he didn’t owe anyone an explanation – but that’s what made him such a mystery.
Usually when players like that end their careers, they go off into anonymity. They aren’t media darlings – we don’t see them as coaches or commentators – so rarely hear from them again. That’s what made this interview so incredible.
The three hosts got to this man’s core. He never felt understood. Never felt like he could trust anyone. Felt like ppl arnd him (even fam) were always taking advantage of his fame/$ – even to the point of stealing from him. You can understand why he did keep to himself.
But what he revealed (that I put in this quote card), is the clip that’s going viral & deserves to. In it he pointed out how guys like Antoine Walker, Allen Iverson, & Dwight Howard – in their own ways CRIED OUT for help w their erratic behaviors…& others in/arnd the league just laughed at them – “oh that’s them being them.”
Beasley asked – what must you do, get to the point of Delonte West (a former player who had an episode walking arnd the street, looking homeless) – before you’re offered help?
His pt’s well taken. We wait for public figures to FALL APART (or worse, pass), before they get any attn. What story does that tell society abt getting help when we do cry out? When others pretend THEY have it all together?
