Beasley says he's an unstoppable scorer who's lacked opportunity

Former No. 2 overall pick and nine-year veteran Michael Beasley said the only thing that's held him back from NBA stardom has been a lack of opportunities.

Beasley, who signed with the New York Knicks on a one-year, veteran's minimum contract this summer, promised to bring consistent scoring this season - if only his new team will give him the ball.

"I’ll bring what they saw in college," Beasley told Marc Berman The Post. "I just need the opportunity to show that."

The dynamic combo forward from Kansas State views himself as an unstoppable scorer who strikes fear into the heart of every defender matched up with him. He just wants a shot to earn that recognition from others.

"Look at my nine-year career, I’ve always been close to a point a minute," Beasley said. "I’ve always been a walking bucket. Nobody can stop me, hasn’t stopped me my last nine years. Every time I’ve touched the ball, the defender’s scared. I’m at the point of my career I’m just tired of not getting the acknowledgement of being who I am."

With career averages of 12.6 points in 23.5 minutes, Beasley has scored roughly a point every two minutes, but his point is valid - he's a devastating scorer when hot. He's lethal in isolation and his perimeter-based game is a mismatch for most forwards, featuring the skills that made him the second overall pick.

The problem is that just about everything else in Beasley's game is lacking. He's a passive defender, he doesn't create for others, and his career true-shooting percentage sits at a paltry 51.4 percent. That's why he hasn't received many opportunities despite consistently playing on teams that needed more from him.

Nevertheless, the Knicks might be the team that can finally feed Beasley to his heart's content. The inevitable Carmelo Anthony trade will leave behind a huge void in the offense, which Beasley intends to capitalize on.

"I’ve always been the quiet, not-stand-up-for-myself kind of guy," he said. "Not being disrespectful. But I want my respect. For the last nine years, I’ve been a walking bucket, man. Anytime you want a point, I’ll give you a point, no matter what the circumstances, who the player is defending me."