Heat forward Michael Beasley has improved by leaps and bounds over the last few weeks as he has matured both on and off the court.

"I'm taking a different approach," Beasley said. "I'm a little more professional, not as lackadaisical, not as joking as past years. I still joke around a bit, but you've got to know when to get serious. I do. I'm growing up in every aspect of my life -- being a bigger family man, not going out much, playing a more respected role."

Beasley's improvement is a result of his sobriety, the team's focus on him, fatherhood, advice from Alonzo Mourning and better work habits.

"Everybody needs to see an example of what they want to be." Mourning said of Beasley. "You can see [the growth]. ... He's light years ahead of where we expected."