Michael Beasley Likely to Lose His Spot in the Starting Lineup

Despite the preseason optimism, things have not worked out for Michael Beasley so far. After yet another poor performance, this time on national television in a loss to the visiting Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry says it’s very likely that Beasley will be moved to the bench. Per the AZ Republic: “Muddled underneath the disappointment of their recent 1-5 road trip was the narrow margin of defeat that stung the Suns in most games. A three-point loss. Another by four. An unfortunate overtime ending. Each result could easily have been flipped on a late, game-defining play. But the Suns couldn’t execute, and that deficiency apparently wasn’t a symptom of the road as it plagued the Suns when they returned home – this time in the form of a 97-94 to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday at US Airways on ‘Satisfaction Guaranteed Night.’ It was a season-high fifth straight loss for the Suns, who had a chance at a tie in the final minute but were kept at bay after a missed layup by Goran Dragic. […] Forward Michael Beasley was the epitome of the team’s struggles. He shot 3-for-12 and during one stretch missed seven straight shots. Afterward, Gentry said it’s ‘more than likely’ time to move Beasley out of the starting rotation and the switch ‘could possibly’ be as soon as Saturday’s tilt in Los Angeles against the Clippers. ‘I don’t know what it is,’ Beasley said. ‘I come in every game optimistic about my play and my shots. It’s just not good right now, and it’s not what anybody’s doing. It’s all me. I’m getting extra shots. I’m getting extra shots on top of extra shots. I’ve just got to be patient. Let the game come to me. Just sort of ride it out.'”