The Houston Rockets have certainly received a boost in the form of Patrick Beverley's return to the court this season.
Beverley would say there's a big reason why that is the case. He believes he's the best defender in the entire NBA.
“That is one of my biggest goals,” Beverley told Sporting News this week. “I feel like I am the best defensive player in the league right now. I hope the whole world sees it. If we win games, more and more people see it. But the last guard to get the Defensive Player of the Year award was Gary Payton. Why not me? I have the same type of killer mindset that he had, the lateral quickness and quick hands. The swagger also. That’s one of my goals, my biggest goal. If I can get a goal like that, I will put my team in a position to win a lot of games.”
Comparing yourself to Gary Payton is a pretty bold claim.
There's no denying Beverley is a great defender and above all else, a huge pest to opponents. Just ask Russell Westbrook.
But Beverley has never been in the discussion for a defensive award. And it will be hard to imagine him getting in the conversation while playing for a Mike D'Antoni-coached team.
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