The Los Angeles Clippers were the story of this summer. After making the playoffs in the 2018-19 season, the Clippers traded for Paul George and signed Kawhi Leonard, forming one of the best duos in the NBA. However, perhaps their most important–and certainly most unheralded–move was re-signing veteran point guard Patrick Beverley to a three-year, $40 million contract.
One of the premier defensive agitators and leaders in the league, Beverley was being courted by the likes of the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls. He actually turned down a more lucrative offer with the Kings in favor of returning to Los Angeles.
Patrick Beverley is not the most prolific scorer or shooter. He makes more headlines for getting under the skin of superstars like Kevin Durant and James Harden than he does for being a perennial All-Defensive Team candidate, something he had never gotten enough credit for throughout his career.
And yet, he is the ultimate team guy. Patrick Beverley was vocal about the role that Clippers shooting guard Lou Williams played in his desire to return to the Clippers. The likes of Montrezl Harrell and Landry Shamet have praised Beverley for his leadership and work ethic.
The Clippers are entering the 2019-20 season with championship expectations, but they also have a new-look rotation that will be centered around both Leonard and George.
Patrick Beverley is the perfect, selfless leader to help make it a seamless transition for the star duo in Hollywood.
Gritty and demanding
Leonard may have been the face of the championship run in Toronto this past season, but the total team effort that the Raptors displayed was tremendous. So who was it that got the team to compete so hard and play for one another? As Raptors head coach Nick Nurse would tell anyone, it was Kyle Lowry.
George's old point guard was just as vocal and passionate. All you need to do is watch Russell Westbrook on the court for a minute and you can understand the kind of energy that he brings to the game.
Beverley is just as competitive as Lowry and Westbrook. He takes pride in being able to guard multiple positions and rebound at a high level despite his smaller stature. Most importantly, he has that ability to bring the “dog” out of his teammates.
Leonard and George are quieter superstars. They prefer to let their play do the talking on the floor. But Beverley is the vocal presence that can keep everyone focused on the task of winning a championship. Similarly, Patrick Beverley is sure to instill a sense of defensive pride in the rest of the unit.
With a starting lineup that could include Beverley, George, Leonard, Montrezl Harrell and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers will be one of the most talented defensive teams in basketball. George is coming off the best defensive season in his career, but he should find that much more motivation playing alongside a competitive force of nature like Beverley.
Can play off the ball
George and Leonard are going to demand a lot of the ball. So will Lou Williams, when he is on the floor. Luckily, Beverley is the perfect complement to this style of play.
Patrick Beverley shot close to 40 percent from beyond the arc last year, and he has shot at least 38 percent from three-point land in each of the last four seasons.
Aside from spacing the floor and having the opportunity to get a ton of catch-and-shoot looks, Beverley also excels at making the extra pass. He averaged close to four assists last year despite not being the primary ball handler. Both George and Leonard could be absolutely lethal playing with guys that can set them up for clean looks on the perimeter or the block.
From the intangibles that he brings to the team to his physical skill set on the floor, Patrick Beverley is the glue guy that the Clippers desperately need to help ensure chemistry and a winning mentality.
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