Beasley doesn't like some of his critics' comparisons

Michael Beasley senses a double standard in the buzz leading up to the NBA Draft on Thursday. When people talk about Derrick Rose, they make positive comparisons. Rose is said to be the next Chris Paul or Deron Williams, maybe a combination of the two. He'll be Jason Kidd with a jumper. Beasley gets some of that as well. For example: He could be a more athletic Elton Brand or Carlos Boozer. But with Beasley, there also is a negative analogy to a former No. 1 pick with similar skills. “They say [I'm] the next Derrick Coleman,” Beasley said. Beasley hopes the unfavorable reviews do not affect the Bulls' choice Thursday night, when they decide whether to spend the No. 1 pick on Beasley or Rose. When the New Jersey Nets drafted Coleman out of Syracuse in 1990, they thought they were getting someone who would revolutionize the power forward position. Coleman would be a low-post scoring force and a reliable outside shooter in a sculpted, 6-foot-10 package. Coleman did average 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive seasons with the Nets, making one All-Star Game. But he never helped New Jersey win a playoff series before the Nets traded him to Philadelphia. He was a role player for the remainder of his 15-season career. Worse, Coleman clashed with coaches, alienated teammates and got into trouble with the law. Critics called him a clubhouse cancer. Beasley has been in trouble off the court, too. It was mostly normal teen high jinks, such as “tagging” his high school headmaster's car, but he wonders whether people view him as a goof-off. “There's nobody who's going to play harder,” Beasley said. “I want to be the best there ever was, plain and simple.” Coleman also seems to be doing good work off the court these days. He is a developer and entrepreneur in his childhood neighborhood in Detroit, recently telling the Detroit Free Press he will spend up to $6 million to rejuvenate the area. He also touts his Derrick Coleman Foundation, which he describes as a nonprofit for providing education, health and recreation programs for Detroit kids. “There's no reason for people to compare him to me,” Coleman said. “But he can take steps to make sure he doesn't end up with some of the same issues.” Coleman said early conflicts with his first NBA coach, Bill Fitch, stuck him with a reputation he could not shake. He said Beasley should find a reliable mentor, someone who knows the NBA, to help keep his image in check. “You're under the microscope, and everything you do has consequences,” Coleman said. “I didn't realize that at first.” Beasley is not sure he needs such help. He said his play and his personality will work in his favor. “I'm not really a serious person,” Beasley said. “I do like to have fun. But I know when to turn it off. I'm not going to be pulling guys' shorts down during games.” Rose comes across as more humble and serious, which might be why he has avoided being likened to, say, Stephon Marbury. Another point guard who turned pro after one season and could score, like Rose, Marbury these days is cited as an example of what is wrong with the NBA. “[Rose] deserves all the praise he's getting,” Beasley said. “I just feel like people are a little more eager to find a downside with me. Oh well.”