Patrick Beverley is often the unsung hero and the voice of the LA Clippers’ locker room. His willingness to play his role makes him a fan favorite.
In looking forward to the 2019 season, we must look at the LA Clippers’ past achievements. Last season, making the playoffs, the Clippers staked their claim to be dominant. The Clippers point guard, Patrick Beverley, was at the forefront with his intense and aggressive type play. Not only were the Clippers scary weapons last season with 48 wins, but they proved themselves to the rest of the League as legitimate threats who could attract free agent players. That’s now solidified. We all know what happened this off-season. In addition, Patrick Beverley is here to stay, re-signing with a three year deal worth $90 million.
Patrick Beverley’s voice on the Clippers roster is positive. He uplifts other’s around him and wants everyone on the team to keep gaining chemistry and momentum to be better. His leading voice really creates a prosperous impact for the Los Angeles Clippers culture, which has leveraged it’s defense. Needless to say, his impact in his respective community has been notable.
Last season, Beverley responded to a reporter asking him about his claim to first All-Defensive team in the NBA , “Proof is in the pudding. My name is straight in the NBA.” He knows his level of play defensively and his average of a steal per game shows that. As a true point guard, Bev has flourished on this Clippers roster and what they’ve been able to build in a couple years. However, his statistics are usually not shown. You can’t show intensity, elevation and commitment on paper, but everyone around the League regards Beverley as a stated player who knows and owns his role.
Doc Rivers had high praise for Beverley, answering a question about his All-Star defensive team potential. There is not one other player in the NBA to date who contributes more combative and boasts in their defensive efforts than Beverley. Locking up players like Paul George, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, he’s not afraid of anyone and loves a challenge.
Offensively, Beverley has improved and hit key three pointers for the Clippers. In averaging 7.9 points per game on 3.8 assists, Beverley did his part in creating offense where it was needed. In a post game interview, Beverley attributed, “Guys who make a living off defense, we’re forced to adjust.” The game has shifted, good players adjust to how it changes.
Now, you surround Beverley with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, two acclaimed defensive talents. He’s only going to elevate and gain knowledge, I am sure they will be in mutual defensive atonement after the season is over and they head into the playoffs. Their skill defensively is going to be a monstrosity.
The Clippers lead under Beverley won’t diminish with the joining of high caliber players such as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George because he’s the heart of the Clippers. He is what the Clippers stand for on and off the court. The Clippers are going to be a feared team in the West and a title contender in the League.