Michael Beasley is no longer in a swaggering state of braggadocio, no longer talking about himself as “a walking bucket.’’
The Knicks forward has seen too much time on the pine. The free-agent signee has failed to get consistent minutes in Jeff Hornacek’s rotation.
“I think everybody wishes they played more — except the guys playing 45 minutes a night,’’ Beasley told The Post after the Knicks’ 107-84 debacle Friday in Toronto. “But I’m not here to say what I need or want personally. Whatever the team needs. If they need me to play 40 minutes, I’ll play it. If they want me to clap on the bench, I’ll do it.”
Hornacek tabbed Beasley to play the entire fourth quarter in Toronto, looking for an offensive spark with Kristaps Porzingis out of rhythm. Beasley provided it, helping the Knicks cut 20-point deficit to 10 points midway through the quarter. He scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in the period.
“We needed some scoring,’’ Hornacek said. “We couldn’t score the ball. He’s got the ability to get us some buckets. And he could get in there and mix it up with some of the athletes on [Toronto].’’
However, Hornacek has yet to feel he deserves time on a nightly. Beasley has received four DNPs and is averaging 13 minutes, 5.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and shooting 48.1 percent. One of the DNPs came in Cleveland, when Hornacek stuck to a nine-man rotation and said he didn’t want to take “any chances’’ in a 114-95 victory on Oct. 29.
Asked if it’s been tough staying in sync, Beasley said, “To say the least.’’
“I’m doing what the team needs,’’ Beasley added. “Whatever it is that night — defensive rebounding, trapping, whatever.’’
Problem is, Beasley still is viewed more as a scorer and the franchise’s emphasis is leaning toward defense. Lance Thomas has emerged as their defensive stopper at forward and Doug McDermott has grown in that area.
If Porzingis no longer is the 30-point man every game, Beasley’s role could grow.
“I’m hoping to do what the team needs, whatever the coach needs me to do,’’ said the No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft. “Whether he calls on me the next game or 10 games from now.’’The high-tempo flow is suited for Beasley, though he once excelled in Kurt Rambis’ triangle in Minnesota.
“The offense is OK,’’ Beasley said. “When it flows, yes, it’s good. When the ball sticks, I don’t think anyone likes the offense. But when it flows and we’re 12, 13 assists a half and 25 a game, it’s hard not to like it.’’
Beasley boasted in the days before training camp opened he saw the Knicks with enough talent to be a sixth seed, but that was before his Maryland friend, Carmelo Anthony, got shipped away.
“We’re still over .500,’’ Beasley said of the 8-7 club. “I feel even better [about our chances] than I did this summer.’’