No. 2 disadvantage to the LA Clippers trading Patrick Beverley: The loss of constant ball pressure
There were many times in the LA Clippers’ WCF series vs the Phoenix Suns this year where Patrick Beverley was proving to be a total pest to both Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
That’s a tough backcourt to contain, but Ty Lue decided that starting Beverley could slow them down. He was correct.
Beverley isn’t just a trash talker. He has strong fundamentals on the defensive end, and doesn’t give an inch. The ball pressure he puts on ball handlers is relentless, and he does it for the full floor.
Now, Bledsoe has a strong resume when it comes to defense. Like Beverley, he has made multiple All-Defensive teams. That being said, he simply doesn’t have the intensity Bev does when it comes to harassing opposing ballhandlers from the get-go.
Beverley does struggle at times vs. bigger guards, but Bledsoe is the same height as Beverley, so I wouldn’t expect Bledsoe to be much better in those kinds of matchups.
I think that Bledsoe can absolutely be an impact defensive player this year, but I don’t know that he’ll be Beverley.