Malik Beasley had a lot to say during the Pistons’ first round playoff series against the Knicks. Just before he could potentially tie up Game 6, he fumbled a crucial pass, which, well, sealed Detroit’s fate in the series, ending it 4-2 in favor of New York.
Despite that costly blunder, Beasley made some bold statements after the game. He mentioned, “I got mad at Ausar Thompson. He’s the best defender in the world and I felt he should’ve stopped that last possession.”
Continuing through his emotions, he didn’t hold back. “I’m the best shooter in the world,” Beasley asserted. “I think I should’ve gotten a shot off that last possession.”
Interesting to note, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards led the league in three-pointers until the final day of the regular season, narrowly beating Beasley with 320 to 319 after making seven threes in his last game. Both players finished the season with over 300 three-pointers each.
However, Knicks fans might chuckle at Beasley’s declarations, considering how he struggled with his three-point shooting throughout the series.
Malik: “Our team, our team. Ausar was mad. He is the best defender in the world. I am the best shooter in the world.” – Ah, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) May 2, 2025
Over the six games, Beasley shot just 20 for 59 from beyond the arc, translating to a 33.9% shooting percentage—quite a drop from his regular-season figure of 41.6%, which was a career best for him.
Of course, when discussing the best shooters, there’s always Stephen Curry lurking in the background too.
About Beasley’s comments on Thompson, 22, there’s definitely some truth there. Thompson is a formidable defender, and he faced off against one of the top point guards in the league quite impressively.
Brunson himself commented on Thompson’s defense post-series, saying, “He’s tough to play against. I let him know directly after the series—he made it challenging for me, and I respect that.”
Nevertheless, Knicks fans have reason to be skeptical of Beasley’s claims, especially since Brunson found ways to create significant separation from Thompson to hit crucial three-pointers during the series.
Beasley joined the Pistons this season on a one-year deal and was considered one of the best signings of the year. He’s expressed a desire to stay with Detroit, but being labeled “the best shooter in the world” might attract lucrative offers from other teams this offseason.
