Saddiq Bey doesn't need you to like him. In fact, the Detroit Pistons swingman thrives on the animosity.

After his 51-point masterpiece in a Pistons win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, Bey spoke out on how growing up watching Batman shaped him. But instead of an innate desire to be the hero like the Dark Knight, Saddiq admitted his fixation was actually on his arch nemesis, The Joker.

Via Brad Galli:

“I think it's the love of the Joker for me. My favorite character growing up. The Batman and Joker series. Just being on the road, I just feel like the world is against me. Even though the fans are probably just trying to enjoy the game, I just feel like everybody is against us as a team. So just my whole life I've always felt like the road gives me another edge to focus on being with your team. That's the competitive spirit I try to have,” said Bey during the Pistons' postgame presser.

Saddiq Bey certainly loomed large as the villain for any spectating Magic fans. The Pistons were playing without leading scorers Cade Cunningham and Jerami Grant, but Bey more than made up for it by more than tripling his scoring average of 15.8 points per game. He poured in 51 points on a stellar 17-for-27 shooting clip while also connecting on 10 triples and grabbing nine rebounds.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Reed Sheppard, Zaccharie Risacher and Rob Dillingham wearing Pistons jerseys

Shervon Fakhimi ·

Mikal Bridges in a Pistons jersey with Cade Cunningham

Eric Vincent ·

Trae Young and Jalen Johnson with fire in their eyes

Shervon Fakhimi ·

He became the fifth player in just the last week to record a 50-point effort, joining a list with two MVPs and two multiple-time All-Stars. Not too shabby for the third-year Pistons forward.

The Pistons and Magic took centerstage in the NBA world as it was the lone holdover on a Thursday slate anticipating the start of March Madness. Saddiq Bey made sure to take advantage of his own moment under the sun by shining brighter than he's ever done before.