Barkley on Michael Beasley: “I don’t think he’s going to be great.”

Michael Beasley's time in Miami is in doubt along with his ceiling as a player...

He, along with Derrick Rose, were the two "can't miss" prospects of the 2008 NBA Draft. Those who thought some of his early signs of immaturity should be red flagged were roundly criticized by analysts like Jay Bilas on draft night who proclaimed the Kansas State product a future all-star.

Now, Charles Barkley tells Dan LeBatard on 790 AM in Miami he doesn't think Beasley is ever going to be "great" and that he needs to switch positions.

"He's not a power forward. He's a small forward. He's not big enough to play power forward. I think the kid still has a chance. He has to accept the fact that he's a small forward. He's not a power forward and he's going to spend his summer working off the dribble, learning how to shoot jump shots, and intermediate jump shots. But he's not a power forward. That's his problem right there. I mean he is not a power forward in any shape or form whatsoever."

Is he going to be great or is that discussion already over?

"I don't think he's going to be great. I think he can be a good player. I do. But he's going to have to learn how to play the small forward position. I really don't think he's ever going to be a great player. But I think he can be a good player. He's going to have to learn to play the 3. He's not a 4. He's too little to play the 4."

A damning statement to a player who made his reputation up the prep and college ladder as a rebounder and general paint dweller. For anyone who thinks it was silly for someone like Paul Millsap to slip to the 2nd round of the draft, an undersized power forward who led the NCAA in rebounding 3 straight years, there are stories like Beasley's.

A one time college rebounding leader who hasn't seen those stats translate to the next level.