Beasley: "I feel like we need a leader...I think I can be that guy."

Former Lakers guard Norm Nixon was there to support Beasley, with whom he has worked much of this prolonger NBA summer.

Nixon was Jalen Rose’s agent when David Kahn worked for Indiana.

After seeing that relationship work, Kahn reached out to Nixon last spring and asked him to work with Beasley over the summer both on and off the court.

Despite the June drafting of Derrick Williams, it’s obvious Kahn still is investing a lot in helping Beasley all he can be.

The hiring of Portland assistant Bill Bayno seems like one indication.

Nixon’s presence certainly is another.

Nixon’s influence can be seen in Beasley’s slimmer and more flexible body. Nixon’s wife is Debbie Allen, the actress, director and famed choreographer who owns an L.A. dance studio and Nixon and Beasley spent time there this summer applying the stretching elements of dance to Beasley’s body.

Included one day was a lesson from a prima ballerina with the Bolshoi.

“When you start teaching guys and make them understand better about their bodies, they become better pros,” Nixon said.

He also has mentored Beasley – who was ticketed for marijuana possession in June and pushed a fan in the face during a streetball game in New York City in August – away from the court.

Nixon has pushed Beasley to tighten the circle of people around him.

“You have seen Michael’s talent, I don’t think there’s a question about the talent,” Nixon said. “What most people don’t realize is he’s 22. He’s just a kid. When young guys come into the league at 18, 19, they’re more comfortable having people around them. I think as you mature and get older, you need to peel some of that entourage off. He’s getting to the stage now where he’s getting to be a leader on this team.

“I think when you have too many distractions off the court, you can’t lead the way you should. One of the things I’m trying to get him to do is be more focused and get that entourage smaller, so he can focus on what he needs to do to lead this team.”

Beasley said one step to becoming that leader is becoming more active in the community where he plays, and thus Friday night’s game.

“I feel like we need a leader,” Beasley said.  “We’ve got a young talented group and all we need is the right coach and the right floor general…

“I want to be, I think I can be that guy.”