Super Cool Beas is facing questions after TMZ published photos of him on a recent boat trip, including the above shot of Beasley trying to sleep something off. (Whether that "something" is a long wholesome day of fun, or something else, is the controversy here.)

Normally we'd laugh, perhaps tut at an underage player being photographed sleeping near a pile of empties, but this is a man best known for a rehab stint spurred by a picture of him near a baggie of weed. So obviously there are going to be questions.

The Heat said the fishing boat excursion was arranged by the team, and the captain is on record as saying the beers belonged to another group on board. Also, Beasley's substance abuse counselor was aboard (perhaps that's her next to him). So no action's going to be taken.

But, Jesus Christ man, Beasley doesn't need a counselor. He really needs someone to confiscate all cameras and cell phones when he's off duty.

Rehabbed NBA Star — Sleeps Off Temptation [TMZ]

Beasley spoke with reporters earlier today. You can read Ira Winderman's account, but to get a full sense of the awkwardness in the room, just check out the transcript:

Q. Since we're not really familiar, and with the limitations on comments we've received, can you tell us, when you went to Houston, originally, what was the plan there and then what changed about the plan?

A. "I feel like that's going into a little too much detail. I was in Houston for quite a while. Halfway through the process, I was told I was going to be there for a while longer, and I got kind of upset. That's pretty much what I want to say."

Q. The Twitter postings, the picture, and all that, what was that a result of? Because there were strong comments there that led to concerns from people?

A. "I would like to start off by saying I'm not suicidal. And I never, ever thought about killing myself or doing anything like that. Those Tweets were miscommunications that were misunderstood. I think I kind of channeled my emotions and threw my emotions the wrong way. That was the day I was told I was going to be at the facility for 30 more days, on top of the days I already did, and I was pretty upset. That's what the Tweets came from."

Q. Because it's the Internet, because everything is available to everyone, there is a picture posted and then removed, with your tattoo on the back, with wild assumptions, clearly some of that had to get back to you. Were you surprised the people inspected it almost as if it was Houston CSI and looking at that picture and seeing what they thought. What was your reaction to the reaction?

A. "I was surprised, because I was just there to get a tattoo. I didn't know what was in the picture. Had I have known, the picture wouldn't have gone up. I saw the picture. I tried to analyze the picture myself. I couldn't tell what was in it. To this day, I don't know what was in it. But it wasn't mine. That was just me not being aware of my surroundings. I have to get better than that and stop putting myself in vulnerable situations."

Q. Does Michael Beasley have a substance-abuse problem?

A. "No sir."

There was also the following exchange:

Q. If you can get into it, what was your daily schedule like?

A. (Shakes head, turns to team media-relations official, does not answer.)

Q. Can you give some perspective, people were trying to figure the type of setting you were in, whether it was a hospital setting, whether it was a comfortable social setting, something more stern. When Michael Beasley was in in-patient rehab, the term we've used now for the month, what was that like? Was it a single-dorm room, a comfortable setting, a tense setting, people have different visions. Was it frightening? Was it scary?

A. "It was like the Four Seasons."

Q. Was it that nice, seriously?

A. " Seriously."

Q. And did you feel comfortable in there?

A. (Shoulder shrug, no answer.)

Not long ago, Henry Abbott at TrueHoop made a noble run at explaining the situation. Why was Beasley really in rehab? There was hushed talk of guns and cars and women. It made him sound like Bugsy Siegel, when all outward indications, to that point, suggested that he was merely a magnificently talented, probably stoned 20-year-old flake whose only real crime was the NBA felony of producing bad PR. Sports people have always overreacted to flakes, and I'd like to think that's all that was going on here. Beasley certainly sounds the part:

Q. Your SuperCoolBeas tattoo on your back, what was the inspiration for that, the placement for that on your body. Can you background what happened there?

A. "Because I'm super cool. What inspires any tattoos? And I had an open space on my back."

To which one can only respond: (shoulder shrug.)

Michael Beasley insists he has no drug, depression issues, vows to mature [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Michael Beasley's summer odyssey: In his own words [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

The Heat knew what they were in for when they drafted a man once described as "rudderless", but this isn't simply immaturity. It's been a while since we've seen someone so young melt down so completely and publicly.

The story broke tonight that Beasley's residence at a Houston-area substance abuse program is due to getting caught hotboxing a hotel room at last summer's rookie symposium, and has nothing to do with being photographed with a suspicious baggie, or some disturbing Twitter messages this weekend.

Michael Beasley Sr. went on Jorge Sedano's show on 790 The Ticket, and gave some of the usual fatherly platitudes ("it wasn't his marijuana in the photo," etc.). But he did say that the pressures of transitioning to the NBA, especially as a number 2 pick, have been getting to Beasley:

He talks about how it's a job now. In college there wasn't a lot of pressure on him so he could go out and play, but now he's got high expectations and it's work now. I think that became kind of stressful for him going from playing 30 games to 82 games and the playoffs, and it probably took a toll on him."

To his credit, Beasley says that doesn't excuse his son's actions. He's not the only one dealing with professional stress, but his personal situation isn't helping matters:

You have to abide by team rules. I don't think that it was just him. A lot of other guys on the team have to do the same things. I don't think it's that. I really think it's the overwhelming responsibility of being a father. I think that's kind of catching up with him."

Obviously there are some things wrong with Michael Beasley's life. This isn't just the case of someone liking marijuana a little too much; for that, they don't send you to rehab, they force you out of the league like J.R. Rider.

Reportedly Beasley's rehab stint will last up to 30 days, with little to no contact with the outside world during that time. His own father hasn't been able to see him:

He can't have visitors on phone calls so I'm trying to get in contact with John Lucas so I can get down there and see him just to give him a hug and let him know I love him, and I love him unconditionally, and we're here to support him in this time."

One of my most-hated journalistic conventions is when the writer has to tell you how sad a story is. So, I don't know how to end this.

The Miami forward checked into a rehab hospital in Houston this morning, allegedly at the request of his Heat bosses. After the internet took notice of that crazy picture on Saturday night—in particular the mysterious plastic baggie in the background—Beasley started to crack, posting the following two messages on his Twitter.

"Y do I feel like the whole world is against me…I can't win for losin"

"Feelin like it's not worth livin!!!!!!! I'm done."

Shortly thereafter, all his online accounts were gone and now he's in rehab. Who knows how close he was to actually going over the edge, but now he will get some downtime with former coach John Lucas. (The NBA's Tony Dungy, I guess.) Is this just a PR move by the Heat or is Beasley seriously in trouble?

Obviously, he hasn't kicked the weed habit that's been following him since the draft last year, but that doesn't necessarily mean his life is falling apart. He could just be grasping at straws or maybe the Heat finally have drawn a line for him. Clean up your act or we're cutting you lose? Did Twitter just save his life or ruin it?

Heat's Beasley admitted into rehab center [Yahoo Sports]

The Heat's number one pick was slapped with a $50,000 fine after he finally admitted he was in the cheeba-and-chick filled hotel room that night, but only after weeks of dodging the accusations and separating himself from the incident. TrueHoop's Henry Abbott seems legitimately concerned for the former K-State stud, whom he calls "rudderless"after this latest incident which comes soon after the odd ordeal with his former agent :

Maybe these kinds of messy decisions are par for the course for someone his age.

Here's what worries me though: He's at a stage where he's taking a big step up. The level of competition he's facing is about to leap. Those are times when it's all about work. When there is a lot to prove.

It's like exam day. (One of the early exams is a basic intelligence test: Can you stay out of trouble throughout the few days of the League's seminar on staying out of trouble?)

Beasley's house may not be in order — but some other players' are. They're working it all out. All those worries, the agent selection, the marketing deals, the money management, the things your family needs from you, the trouble with the league ... it all takes time and energy.

Miami Heat president Pat Riley backed Beasley and praised him for (eventually) coming forward and admitting it, but only after he took his number one pick to the top of the American Airlines Arena and scared him straight:"You smoke weed, doncha! Go ahead. Jump!"
The Good Ship Michael Beasley, Adrift [TrueHoop]

Earlier this season, a great debate was raging about which of two superior college basketball players should be named Player of the Year.

Our choices at that time were simple: Did we value the smooth versatility of Kansas State's Michael Beasley, or the gritty determination of North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough? Some cast it as callow Freshman vs. Experienced Upperclassman. Some went for style vs. substance. Some even said it came down to black vs. white. In the end, it was the success of Hansbrough's team, and his ability to produce when the game was in doubt, that put him over the top and garnered him the Naismith award.

That was before the NCAA tournament started. Since then, Beasley's Wildcats flamed out in the second round, and Hansbrough has continued to prove his worth. But hold up, partner. There's a new gun in town. Stephen Curry appeals to both camps - he has been effortlessly dynamic, putting up an average of 32 points per game in four tournament appearances. He has also been gritty, willing his team back from deficits and coming through in the clutch (mostly). And he has a hot mom. So, can we go back to early March and vote him POY?

No need. The John R. Wooden award, college basketball's version of the Heisman Trophy, has been in play this entire time. Wooden award panelists had until 3 p.m. yesterday to vote, which means they saw Curry's incredible explosion in the tournament and have no doubt given it all due weight in their deliberations. Of course, Hansbrough has also been excellent thus far, but it can be argued that his supporting cast of McDonald's All Americans made his path a bit easier.

The award won't be announced until April 12, but we can all dream in the meantime. Perhaps the distinguished voters were swayed. Maybe this year The Chicken Dancing Fetus can take the prize from Beaker with a Bowl Cut. Or, heck. It could still be Beasley.

The Final Wooden Award Ballot: [WoodenAward.com]