Quotes from Frank Martin on Beasley's selection
Jun 26, 2008 | General
Kansas State head coach Frank Martin
On his initial thoughts on Michael being drafted...
“I’m ecstatic. I’m ecstatic for Mike. I’m ecstatic for the Heat. Obviously, it’s my hometown. It’s a franchise since Pat Riley’s been there that’s been in regular in the (NBA) playoffs and won a championship just a few short years ago. They went through a troubled year last season, but they have good personnel. They are all about working and competing and that’s what Mike’s about. I think it’s a perfect marriage.”
On how Michael fits into the
“To win in the NBA you have to have good players. Obviously, the Heat didn’t win many games last year because their talent level dropped off. It’s a matter of getting the best player who fits your team. Mike’s the best player in college basketball, so he’s going to fit whatever roster of the team he goes to.”
On whether he was surprised Michael didn’t go No. 1 in the NBA Draft...
“I don’t think surprise’ is a good word. I have had minimal conversations with the Chicago Bulls about Michael, not that that matters. You would think if they had serious desire to draft someone in our organization they would have engaged in more conversations with us. I think they were just comfortable drafting Derrick Rose.”
On how much interest
“I think for the leader of their organization, Pat Riley, to travel to see us play on three different occasions that showed Mike was high on their radar. They did their leg-work. I think their scouts were at a majority of our games this year, so they know what he’s like on a day-in, day-out basis from different game situations. They went out and spoke to as many people in our organization as they could about Mike.”
On when he thought Michael would go to
“He’s the best player in the Draft. I thought
On how his connections to
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On his feeling seeing Michael on the stage with the commissioner...
“He’s the best. He’s the absolute best. To seeing him wearing a Miami Heat hat with a purple tie, representing
