“If check rock, one-on-one, go get a bucket, I’m taking him over KD.” Now, that was without a doubt a bold take from Josh Hart—but it speaks volumes. Picking Michael Beasley over Kevin Durant in a 1-on-1 isn’t just hype; it’s confidence rooted in Beasley’s raw talent. And make no mistake, Beasley knows exactly what he brings to the table. Especially when it’s just him and an opponent, no distractions. That’s probably why he didn’t hold back when it came to roasting a certain former Los Angeles Lakers player ahead of their high-stakes duel.
Enter Lance Stephenson. The two ex-NBA players made headlines on March 21 when they announced a $100,000 1-on-1 showdown. Their $100,000 duel will stream live on TNC 02—The Next Chapter’s pay‑per‑view channel—on June 6, along with several other matchups. And while fans are waiting for tip-off, Beasley and Stephenson were already seen getting some reps in during what looked like a practice session, shared on Instagram by The Next Chapter.
During that session, Stephenson fired the first shot. With full conviction, he said, “I’m locking you up Beas.” Michael Beasley didn’t react immediately, but sometimes, the calmest response comes with the sharpest edge. Beasley’s later Instagram post, however, was searing.
“A dress sock on a duck… A broken clock with some luck… A nun watching me ****… are 3 more likely to be seen then @stephensonlance lock-in me… Don’t call me dad when I get to poppin my stuff! Keep quiet work!” Beasley clapped back on Instagram—and just like that, the game got a whole lot more personal.
The numbers back Beasley’s swagger: he averaged double figures in eight of his first ten seasons, whereas Stephenson hit that mark just once. But it’s not just numbers fueling Beasley’s edge. It’s the respect from peers. Let’s not forget that Kevin Durant compared Beasley’s skillset with an arguable GOAT.
Kevin Durant compared Michael Beasley’s skill set to LeBron James
After the Golden State Warriors’ 123-112 win in June 2016, Kevin Durant had something to say that likely turned a lot of heads. And if you’re a fan of Michael Beasley, this one’s going to feel good. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Durant reflected on Beasley’s preseason remarks. Here, the Knicks forward compared his scoring abilities to none other than LeBron James and KD himself.
Surprisingly—or maybe not so surprisingly for those who’ve watched Beasley at his best—Durant actually agreed with the bold comparison. “I love Beas… Love his family. I love what he’s doing. He never had a fair chance,” Durant shared. He even recalled, “I said in a comment earlier this year before the season where he said he was just as skilled as LeBron and myself, and I was feeling him on that.”
Durant and Beasley grew up playing together in Prince George’s County, Maryland. That shared history explains Durant’s conviction. Long before the NBA, Beasley blazed through Kansas State in 2007–08, averaging 26.2 PPG and 12.4 RPG en route to Big 12 Player of the Year honors and a consensus All‑American nod. His pro trajectory, though hampered by off‑court issues, has repeatedly flashed that same raw talent on every team he’s joined.
Durant didn’t just throw around compliments either. He backed it up, saying, “He [Beasley] can score from anywhere… Can score on anybody. He can use both hands…” With such strong faith from Kevin Durant himself, it’s no wonder that Michael Beasley has absolute confidence against Lance Stephenson.
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