Don't get me wrong! In no way shape or form am I disrespecting Sports Illustrated. They are an established magazine and are filled with a staff of talented writers.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, why is Tyler Hansbrough the player of the year? The best player should be given the award. Unequivocally that has been Kansas State's "freshman phenom" Michael Beasley.
Why? I just recently heard of him. How can be player of the year? He probably doesn't have better stats than Hansbrough.
To answer the first question, the man has been a beast since he came on the court. The Prince Georges County MD transplant changed the program the moment he had some playing time, scoring 32 points in his first game against Sacramento State. Yes, I know its Sacramento State, but bear with me. It would seem that he has yet to look back. To put that in perspective, he has 40,39,33,30 points in his last 4 games. Quality opponents... he put the 39 against Kansas.
Do not let the points fool you; he is the best in the country in terms of rebounds. Not just that, but he has also broken Carmelo Anthony's double-double record. For those who can't put that in perspective, harken back to just how powerful that Syracuse team was and just how much fanfare Carmelo Anthony got. Beasley is just that good.
Now, for the head-to-head comparison.
#50 Tyler Hansbrough | F
Full Name: Tyler Hansbrough
Birth Place: Poplar Bluff, MO
Height: 6-9
Weight: 250 lbs. Position: Forward
Class: Junior
PPG 23.3 | APG .9 | RPG 10.4
#30 Michael Beasley | F
Full Name: Michael Beasley
Birth Place: Washington, DC
Height: 6-10
Weight: 235 lbs. Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
PPG 26.9 | APG 1.2 | RPG 12.6
This is not to take props away from the junior standout Hansbrough. His numbers are inpressive. His team has hovered in the Top 10 all year, and he should be in the running. His hustle inside, his leadership and his creative ability can be great assets in the NBA whenever he does cross over.
Its just that the award belongs the the best player, and if you were to ask any coach in college basketball, the answer would be quite simple. Beasley has been a lot more of an impact player to both the position and the game.
Great white hope always beats out deserving black player it is as simple as that
In Hansborough defense his numbers are right there with Beasley and he takes far fewer shots and his team is doing a lot better. I think it could have went either way in my opinion. No wrong choice
Don't make me bash your face in
CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHANGE!
I was killing them last night, now what?
And all of this is coming after Huggy Bear went back on his word and bolted for West Virginia.
So here we have the ultimate debate. Good vs. Evil. Black vs. White. As a black man, I understand the Great White Hype machine that permeates sports. Hell....society in general. And as a Black man, I understand that we grow tired of it and are sensitive to it when the mere suggestion is put before us. This is not one of those times.
Michael Beasley is a special, let me emphasize SPECIAL, player. He combines strength with fluidity. Great low post moves with a nice outside touch. In any other year, his play and numbers "might" run away with the award. But history tells us that this isn't always the case.
In 1993, Cal Cheaney won it. Joe Smith. TJ Ford. Shane Battier. Jameer Nelson. JJ Redick. Andrew Bogut. All have won the award. None had incredible "pro potential". None were necessarily the best "player" in the nation. Thats not the criteria. Think of it as the Heisman and you'll see where I'm coming from.
Now on to Mr. Hansbrough. He is not graceful. He is not athletically gifted. He is not supremely talented. But NO ONE does more with their abilities than he has this year. PERIOD. And he has done it for 3 consecutive years. No matter who his team mates are......walk-ons, lottery picks, D-League stragglers, future European staples......he goes about his business and puts up numbers. And his teams win. That 05-06 team had no business being a Top 10 team. But they were. Thanks to who? To not have the God-given talents that Beasley is blessed with and still come within a dog hair of his numbers says a lot. Tons, actually.
And though his "motor" has been the talking point du jour, it isn't without merit. Watch the guy play. Watch him dive on the floor for a loose ball in the 2nd half of a 30 pt blowout. Watch him get pummeled at every chance by a bigger, stronger opponent. But he doesn't sulk. He doesn't complain. He just keeps going.
As a person who has watched college ball for well over 20 yrs, I can say without reservation, that Beasley is one of the top 5 freshman talents that I have seen step on a court. But if you asked me who I would rather go to war with....its gotta be Hanny. He wont make a spectacular pro. But neither have a lot of my favorite college players. But thats OK. I don't feel the need to co-mingle the two. Tyler does more with less. And does it well. And THAT'S why he's the Nat'l POY.
thing is, he's not doing more with less, because what exactly is he doing more? what you're saying is because he lacks god given talent and still puts up great numbers, he should be praised more. that is impressive in a way, but a player of the year award should not be graded on a curve of their nba potential no more than a player should be penalized for not being looked at as nba franchise changer. whoever had the best season should win.
hanny(pause), is on the no.1 team and is a junior, those two things might give him a leg up in a lot of eyes.
There's something to be said for maximizing your potential. And how are you quantifying "best season"? You can't look at stats alone. The difference isn't large enough to give significant weight. If you discount "pro potential" then you back to what they did when it counted most. When Lawson went down.........Hansbrough numbers jumped to 28 and 12. And more importantly, his team won.
I know Carolina is a stronger program. Stevie Wonder could see that. But Hansbrough has been THE difference in the latter part of the season in getting them to where they are now.
all hansbrough does is rebound and jump into defenders to get calls- he cant pass well - he never blocks a shot and does poorly against any decent big men
thats effing ridiculous.
TYLER HANSBROUGH IS GOD'S GIFT TO THE GAME OF BASKETBALL!
I love Michael Beasley! I want him to father my children!
In addition to my previous statement, I would also like to add that I am officially a feminine hygeine product
I love you Sam Smith! I wish you would marry me!
You simply can't deny Tyler Hansbrough. He's insane...and white.
I agree! White people always vote for white people to win NPOY!
I hate ALL white people, especially jimmy and jonny
WTF? What kind of comment is that Daquan? You just single handedly, with your ignorant comment set the world back 100 years congrats douch bag.
The fact remains it doesn't matter who the best player in the nation is or what color he is. If he doesn't play on one of the top teams in the nation he'll never win it. Its like that in college football too. Its a what have you done for me lately world and unless your putting up astronomical numbers my statement will always hold true.
Nothing against Beasley (because he will without a doubt be considered one of the best ever by the end of his career) but, he does take more shots than Hansbrough and he doesnt have as much talent around him to take points and assists away throughout a game. Hansbrough has to contend with Lawson, Green and Ellington,. So lets not forget to take that into consideration please.
You also cant argue with a three time first team all-american no matter which way you slice it.
Yeah, but never the less, I think this post is debatable.
This blog is simply smashing. In my humble opinion of course. As this post is rather debatable I don't think all your blog visitors are going to agree with it.
michael Beasley is the best player in the world and is way better than tyler hansborough
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