Michael Beasley, Chris Bosh Shine In Miami Heat Win

Oct 10, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat power forward Chris Bosh (1) points down the court during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Heat beat the Pistons 112-107. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Bosh dominated again, scoring 28 points as the Miami Heat defeated the Detroit Pistons 112 to 107 in the preseason game Thursday night. In two preseason games, Bosh has shined. He has been aggressive and is the team’s highest scorer through the preseason. However,

From Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.

"“The Heat’s No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft who had been banished to the Minnesota Timberwolves and then Phoenix Suns the past three seasons, scored nine points over the balance of that third period, including a 3-point play and a driving transition layup. He went to the floor for a loose ball, posted up Charlie Villanueva for a score, and held the offense together while Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James were on the bench.”"

From Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald.

"“Michael Beasley is pretty hard on himself sometimes. Beasley received his first minutes of playing time and he was great. He scored nine points in his first five minutes of action and was diving on the floor and doing things coaches generally like to see out of players trying to make a roster. Of course, Beasley also did something a little odd after one offensive play. Upset with himself over a mistake, Beasley started punching himself in the head while running back on defense. He punched himself so hard that he needed treatment after the game from the Heat’s trainer. Steel compresses (like the ones cut doctors use in boxing) were applied to Beasley’s brow in the locker room.”"

Beasley’s natural scoring abilities could give the team a scoring threat while LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Bosh are on the bench. Basically, Beasley could be the top scorer on the Heat’s second unit.

It’s one preseason game, but if Beasley can continue to improve and make the hustle plays, he will earn more playing time and potentially push an aging Udonis Haslem, who did not play Thursday night, out of the starting lineup.

Beasley’s skill set (outside shooting, slashing, post up and turnaround, rebounding, size, hustle plays and young-man’s legs) is far more valuable than Haslem’s (hustle, rebounding, size, consistency) for the Heat as the team continues to try to spread the floor. His size and shooting ability gives the Heat a potential stretch four that could create, alongside Bosh at center, a front court that would be extremely difficult to defend.

Impressed with Beasley, I’m looking forward to seeing him play more minutes with the starting unit.