Minnesota Welcome former No. 2 draft pick Beasley

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, July 15, 2010 (AFP) – Michael Beasley, a former number two overall pick in the NBA draft, said Thursday he was looking forward to developing his talent in Minnesota after being traded from Miami.

The Timberwolves acquired Beasley last week from the Heat, and are hoping the move will help his talent bloom.

For his part the power forward said he hoped much the same, and to that end he wasn't sorry to be leaving a team that has lined up the superstar talents of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

"I feel like I did good my last two years in the NBA playing for Miami," Beasley said. "But I feel like there's a lot that the world don't know about me. A lot of my game hasn't been shown. A lot of my personality hasn't been shown. I feel like it's a new beginning and a fresh start and I'm ready to start my life."

The Heat took Beasley second overall in 2008. He has played well, but never seemed completely at ease in the shadow of Wade.

He had some off-court issues, including being fined for breaking rules and receiving treatment for substance abuse.

"I don't want to say anything I'm going to regret," Beasley said. "Miami, they have a special way of doing things. They just didn't need what I had to offer at the time with Dwyane Wade on the floor and guys like Jermaine O'Neal, you had established NBA All-Stars on the floor.

"I guess it just wasn't my turn."

In Minnesota, the 21-year-old will be the highest-paid player on a young roster.

Timberwolves president David Kahn said the team will seek to add some more experienced players to the roster, but also expect young players such as Beasley and second-year point guard Jonny Flynn to display maturity.

"What's important to me is how he plays, conducts himself, operates as a Minnesota Timberwolve," Kahn said. "We're a lot like Miami in certain ways. We have very strict guidelines, very firm beliefs in hard work and organization and believe players should be given every opportunity to flourish, that no restrictions should be put on them or their games - but that in return, we expect a lot out of them in terms of the way they conduct themselves and the way they work."

Beasley said he was ready for the challenge.

"Do I think the Wolves took a gamble on me? Definitely," Beasley said. "But I believe in myself and I trust in myself to take care of business like I'm supposed to."