To be fair, getting Derek Rose back is a pretty big step forward provided all the players can play well together.
Beasley is a guy the Lakers almost traded for 2 seasons ago. We were giving up the Mavs' 1st pick and trying to foist DFish on Minny in a 3 team deal. The guy is an idiot but he is only 24 and can score. We can use another small forward who can do that. If he clears waivers I wouldn't mind the Lakers signing him as long as it is no more than a 2 year deal with a team option in the 2nd year.
Are the Lakers (without Phil Jackson) the kind of team that could get Beasley to modify his behavior? Or would the media circus LA is only make it worse for him?
I don't know the answer to your first question. But considering who our head coach is, I would say, no. But there is the Kobe factor and Pau Gasol, who both "might" make a difference. And even though he would be under a lot more media scrutiny in L.A. than anywhere but NYC, it is still the Lakers, which also might, and I do say MIGHT make a difference. But the truth is, where we are now as a team, we can use even the knuckleheads of the league as long as they are talented.
^ Some coaches or teams provide a good atmosphere that could help a guy like Beasley become a better person and get his personal life on track. No doubt he's got a lot of talent, but when his personal behavior overshadows or affects his playing, it makes it hard for a team to take a chance on him. I think Phil Jackson is/was one of the few coaches that could get through to a guy like that. I can't imagine LA without Phil has the right atmosphere, what with all the negativity we saw with the Howard departure. Add to that the media spotlight. I wouldn't mind Beasley going to Chicago, but with the way the fanbase & media were capable of treating Derek Rose throughout the end of last season, I'm not sure it would be a good fit either.
Which ones? Beasley was in a small market with little media scrutiny and he had problems there too. Having Phil and guys like Kobe and Pau would seem to be the ideal situation for Beasley (regardless of the city) assuming he actually places more importance on winning a championship than getting high. It could be that the guy just loves weed too much. And it's JUST weed. I don't get it. Can you elaborate on this a bit. Saw a picture of L.O. today. He was looking very thin, and it didn't look like the kind of "thin" from intense working out. I think his career is over. I just hope he can pull it together to live a normal life.