Michael Beasley, the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, loves basketball. Even though Beas had his shortcomings and regrets at the professional level, he managed to last eleven years in the NBA. In Beasley’s eyes and perception, basketball is life.

Growing up as a tall kid in Maryland, the 6-foot-9 forward did not take the game seriously in his early years. That is, until he met Kevin Durant. Living within the same neighborhood, the two ballers crossed paths and eventually became childhood friends. For that reason, Beasley has opened up about Durant’s influence on his earlier life and how he fell in love with the game.

“I started playing with Nolan Smith because me, and KD, we used to live in the same neighborhood, play in the same gyms. I met KD at 9, just turning 10. KD is olde

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