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"My stomach was growling and tomorrow came" - Michael Beasley recalls being broke and sleeping in his car for two years
"My stomach was growling and tomorrow came" - Michael Beasley recalls being broke and sleeping in his car for two years originally appeared on Basketball Network. Former NBA player Michael Beasley made an emotionally-charged revelation during a recent episode of the "3s and Ones" podcast with Chris Haynes. In his monologue, Beasley talked about being broke because his family spent his money and his CPA stole the rest of it. Because of this, Beasley said that from 2021 to 2023, he slept in his car and did not even have $5.39 to buy his favorite Checkers & Rally's Famous Seasoned Fries. What made it even worse was that nobody was there to help him when he was at the lowest point of his life. "I went from crying for help to trying myself. Like everybody that's on my line now and everybody want to like…I don't want, I don't like you. Like my stomach was growling and tomorrow came. I was hungry by myself, and tomorrow came. I don't like you. I don't have to like you. I like me. I like me that much. Because I was there for me. God, right? Every fu—ng day, every fu—ng dribble, every time, every DM and this is why I don't like y'all saying my name. Because when I was there, I was…all of you DMs, everybody. I see hurt. But tomorrow came. I couldn't let the sun beat me," Beasley said. Beasley said he was afraid to admit he was afraid It was in a longer video of the interview where Beasley admitted he went broke and he blamed it on the IRS, his "baby mamas" (take note, plural) and his accountant. He also talked about how his family excessively spent his money while his CPA took the rest of his bank account. Mike admitted that as early as his third year in the NBA, he was blocking Kobe's shot but didn't have any money in his bank account. Beasley also claimed that the people close to him did not bother to check on him during these trying times because they thought he was okay, as he always projected a confident image to the outside world. Deep inside, Mike said that he was just as scared as anybody could be in his situation, but he was too afraid to admit it to anybody. He said he turned to basketball and was able to gut it out and survive the ordeal. "I tell these kids in my gym, like 'Yo, you want to be Michael Beasley or Kevin Durant?" he added. "You understand? And they get that. I tell my kids. I say, 'Yo, I'm known as one of the best basketball players ever. Do you want to be that? Without a job? Or do you want to be kicking ni—as in the balls, making 40 million a year, says Draymond,'" Beasley did not get the support from the NBA This isn't the first time that Beasley talked about fighting his demons alone. Three years ago, during an appearance on "The Pivot" podcast, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft talked about the lack of support he got from the NBA community when he was going through his darkest moments. "I don't talk to nobody," Beasley said. "I've reached out and I've reached out so much that I have to die with some kind of dignity…I know it's not sustainable, but at the same time, who do I go out with?" I've been trying to find good people for so long, I'm tired, bro." Mike is one of the most talented bucket-getters that ever played in the NBA and even the best players in the game admit that he was your favorite player's favorite player. However, he also dealt with many personal demons that destroyed his NBA career. Oftentimes, people blame him for the fate he suffered because of his immaturity and indiscretions. However, when you are fighting your battles alone, that's what really drags people to the bottom. Luckily, Beasley had basketball to turn to. He might still not be well off today, but at least he's still in one story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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Boston Celtics icon Larry Bird on why the world is catching up to USA basketball
The sport of basketball has seen a long dominance by players from the United States, which probably should not surprise given the origin of the sport in the US as well. But in recent years, the rest of the world has been catching up, and doing so very quickly as well. With many of the NBA's top players now having been born abroad, a sea change is coming to the sport and league. Hall of Fame Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird recently took some time to talk about why the world is catching up to USA basketball in particular, and as a member of the original Olympic Dream Team, the man is qualified like few in history have been on the topic. The folks behind the "Basketball Network" YouTube channel put together a clip of Bird's thoughts on the matter. Check it out below! This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics icon Larry Bird on why the world is catching up to USA basketball
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3 days ago
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"He probably gets the least amount of respect out of all players in NBA history" - Charles Barkley takes issue with how Isiah Thomas is categorized by his peers
"He probably gets the least amount of respect out of all players in NBA history" - Charles Barkley takes issue with how Isiah Thomas is categorized by his peers originally appeared on Basketball Network. Isiah Thomas was not the most likable player during his active years. He never cared, because he never played for applause or approval, he played to win. And in doing so, he led the Detroit Pistons into the fire of the 1980s and early '90s with a grin that annoyed opponents and a grit that inspired his teammates. He was the architect of the Bad Boys era, a dynasty built on defense and unapologetic swagger. But what he likely didn't expect is that the identity he embraced — on behalf of a team that never tried to be loved, would shadow him well after he left the game. Judging Thomas In retirement, Thomas has often found himself on the margins of legacy discussions, excluded from lists, passed over in documentaries and frequently positioned as a footnote next to his contemporaries. It doesn't take away the fact that he is one of the greatest point guards, but his reputation continues to tell another, shaped less by stats and accolades and more by emotion and resentment. "I love Isiah…he probably gets the least amount of respect out of all the great players in NBA history," said Charles Barkley. Barkley voiced what many around the league have only hinted at over the years, that Thomas is given a raw deal when it comes to his legacy. It's not a wild claim. Thomas was the leader of one of the most dominant and most hated teams in NBA history. The Bad Boy Pistons weren't built for aesthetics. They didn't sell dreams; they sold bruises. But they won in an era dominated by the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics and they kicked the door open with defense and bruising play. When Michael Jordan came into the picture, Thomas and the Pistons frustrated him and bundled him and the Chicago Bulls out of the playoffs in three straight postseasons in '88, '89 and '90. It is perceived that a rivalry or beef has formed between the icons. The image that continues to haunt Thomas, however, is that infamous walk-off at the end of the 1991 Eastern Conference finals. With just seconds left on the clock and the Bulls about to sweep the Pistons, Thomas and his teammates left the court without shaking hands. No words and no nods, just a silent exit that quickly became interpreted as a sore-loser move. The grudge never really faded. Jordan, even in "The Last Dance" documentary, made it clear he hadn't let it go. The media echoed the sentiment. And suddenly, Isiah's omission from the 1992 Dream Team didn't feel like a snub, it felt call for calm The media fed off a supposed beef between Jordan and Thomas and it became a decade-long one which was amplified when The Last Dance was released. To Barkley, this decades-long cold war could've thawed with a simple gesture with both legends sitting together and talking. "But all they had to do to put out this brush fire is, 'Hey, we were wrong, we should have shook your hand,'" Barkley said. "You can't let this thing simmer and let the media and let all these idiots…just throw gasoline on the fire." The regret, perhaps, is not just about that one night but about how that night shaped everything afterward. Thomas has always defended his team's actions as consistent with the times. He referenced how the Celtics did the same to them in 1988, leaving without congratulations when the Pistons dethroned them. To him, it was standard protocol. But history has a way of choosing which moments to highlight and which players to forgive. Barkley's take lands as a rare show of solidarity among legends. In a league where narrative often outruns nuance, Barkley's words are a reminder that legacies aren't always shaped by talent alone. They are often rewritten by perception and who controls the mic when the dust settles. Thomas remains the only player to lead a team to back-to-back championships without another Top 50 player by his side. He beat Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Jordan in their prime, often with torn ligaments, dislocated ankles, or a target on his back. Yet somehow, it's not enough to erase the image of that story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
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3 days ago
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Shaq believes Jordan and Curry had the least amount of help winning championships: "Mike and Steph are the same people"
Shaq believes Jordan and Curry had the least amount of help winning championships: "Mike and Steph are the same people" originally appeared on Basketball Network. It's always going to be one of those conversations that sparks debate the moment it leaves someone's mouth. Who had the toughest road to a title? Who carried the biggest load when the games mattered most? And in a week where offseason trade buzz, podcast monologues and off-court whispers have already pushed things into overdrive, Shaquille O'Neal threw in his own perspective to keep the show running. While on the "Off the Record" podcast, Shaq broke down which all-time greats had to carry the heaviest weight during their championship runs and it's safe to say his answer might come as a surprise to many. "Who had the least amount of help? I would be a tie, Kobe had a lot of help and let me go on a record, I had a lot of help. So, release that," Shaquille began his detailed explanation on this topic. That honesty was classic Shaq, self-aware but blunt. He acknowledged that he and Kobe Bryant balanced each other out, even admitted they made things easier for one another. But then came the real punch. "Mike and Steph are the same people. Both bad boys, but they got another bad dude next to you. Klay was whew! It's a tie between those two. Mike had to carry a lot, but Pippen was a bad boy. Steph had to carry a lot but Draymond (Green) and Klay, them some bad boys, so it's tie. Kobe didn't have to do much, because I was there, and I didn't have to do much, because he was there… We equaled each other out," the legendary big man added. Did Shaq miss someone? On the surface, it sounds like high praise. Putting Stephen Curry and Michael Jordan in the same breath isn't something O'Neal does lightly. The way he framed it, Steph and Mike had another "bad dude" next to them, but still shouldered most of the responsibility, is a nod to how dominant both were in their respective runs. Still, it's hard to overlook a few things. One, there was no mention of LeBron James, a player who's dragged some of the most underwhelming supporting casts to the NBA Finals — not once, not twice, but year after year. Sure, someone might say yeah, but he had all that help with the Miami Heat, but they only managed to win two... And that's perfectly fine as well. And two, if we're going to talk about Steph, how does Kevin Durant not enter that equation? For two of those four titles, KD was not just along for the ride. He was arguably the guy in the biggest moments, and his two Finals MVPs while on the same team as Chef only go to show it. Yet somehow, Shaq kept it strictly to the original core, leaving out a chunk of important context when we're comparing who really had the least and MJ had to do the most Shaq's framing probably says more about how he values hierarchy than it does actual roster makeup. In his eyes, when two guys like him and Kobe shared the spotlight, it canceled things out. But when you're the No. 1 guy and the rest of the help is solid but not overwhelming, it speaks to how much you had to carry. And in that sense, yes, both Steph and MJ had that rare mix of stardom and burden. Neither had too much of a safety net of a second MVP or a modern-day superteam (at least by Shaq's definition). The offense flowed through them and the two, as O'Neal called them, bad boys, carried the load for the most part. But ignoring Durant in Golden State or leaving out LeBron entirely? That's where the debate really begins. Because, as much as Shaq loves the barbershop talk, it's hard to have a whole conversation about carrying a team without including the guy who's done it with everything from Donyell Marshall to Daniel Gibson (no offense to anyone) to Anthony Davis and Dwyane Wade. Who knows, maybe this will be the new GOAT debate, not who was the best, but who carried the most when it mattered and every now and again someone will come out with the fresh perspective on the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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3 days ago
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"The belle of the ball can't get out on the dance floor" - Tim MacMahon says the WNBA All-Star weekend loses a lot of its glow after Caitlin Clark's withdrawal
"The belle of the ball can't get out on the dance floor" - Tim MacMahon says the WNBA All-Star weekend loses a lot of its glow after Caitlin Clark's withdrawal originally appeared on Basketball Network. The stage was set for the WNBA to have a memorable All-Star weekend. With the annual hoops shindig being held in Indianapolis, home of the league's most popular player, Caitlin Clark, the excitement was palpable. However, things took a turn for the worse when Clark had to withdraw from the festivities due to an injury. ESPN's Tim MacMahon commented on the situation, saying the unfortunate development is a huge buzzkill for the league, especially since Caitlin was set to compete in the Three-Point Contest and captain her team in the All-Star Game. A season riddled by injuries Many were looking forward to Clark's sophomore campaign after her sensational rookie season, wherein she won the Rookie of the Year award and established herself as one of the league's most dazzling playmakers. Unfortunately, she has been sidelined for nine of the Fever's 22 games this season due to a series of injuries, the most recent being a groin injury sustained during the Indiana Fever's recent victory over the Connecticut Sun. Due to this, she chose to step back from the All-Star events she was scheduled to participate in this weekend. However, CC confirmed she will still be present to support her team and the league. On NBA Today, MacMahon didn't mince words, saying Caitlin's absence on the court will take away a lot of excitement and entertainment from the All-Star Game. "It's a big-time bummer. Obviously, the belle of the ball can't get out on the dance floor, you know, and that — let's be honest — that puts a big-time damp on the whole party," he said. Former NBA champion Iman Shumpert believes Caitlin and the Fever are making the right decision by prioritizing her rest and recovery. By giving their star player time to heal, they're ensuring she'll be ready to contribute during the critical stretch run after the All-Star weekend. "I think it's smart," Shump noted. "I think that, you know, you want to play as much basketball as you can. You want to do it at the highest level you can, right? Going back to Indiana and not being able to put on the show that she wants to put on — I can totally understand her decision to want to sit it out."WNBA legend says groin injuries are no joke WNBA legend Lisa Leslie recently spoke on "We Need to Talk," offering insight into Caitlin's injury. She explained that the only remedy is ample rest — something the Fever star sadly can't afford with the WNBA season in full swing. "I really feel for Caitlin Clark, because I actually had that injury in 2006," Leslie, a three-time WNBA MVP who's considered one of women's basketball's all-time greats, shared. "I was heavily taped around my thigh, around my glute. And the hard part is that the groin is an area that you can't just go, 'Oh, it hurts right here.' You feel it deep, you have to get a lot of deep treatment, whether it's ice and heat and rest," she continued. "Well, Caitlin Clark, she can't find a lot of rest right now because she's midseason." Leslie explained that it's a deceptive injury — one moment, a player may feel perfectly fine and ready to return to action, but with a single wrong move, the pain can resurface. She explained that this injury is probably a significant reason why Caitlin has struggled to find her rhythm from beyond the arc this season, as she's shooting a hideous 27 percent from long distance. As much of a fighter Caitlin is, she and the Fever are better off erring on the side of caution and giving her the proper time to heal, even if it comes at the cost of missing a prestigious event like the All-Star story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
