Bounding past me with such pure joy that even his legs appear to move with glee, a man places his arm around a Clippers employee as he moves on to yet another media day photo shoot.
The same man can be seen laughing in the distance with his former, and now present, teammate Milos Teodosic. As if he has been best friends with Milos for 7 years, instead of brief teammates 7 years ago.
These descriptions do not fit someone who dons the nickname “Wolverine” or is best known for his terrifyingly intense style of play but it does fit a man named Patrick Beverley.
Patrick Beverley the person is much different than Patrick Beverley the player. As a player, he appears a good 6-foot-5 while on the prowl between 94 feet of hardwood. Talking to him eye to eye, he is every bit of his 6-foot-1 listing.
He is soft-spoken yet assertive. Sure of himself like anyone who has defied odds and succeeded at the highest level should be.
When telling him he was one of only six players 6-foot-1 or shorter to average at least 5.8 rebounds per game in NBA history, he corrected me with a smile: “5.9”.
He knew that stat.
He is steadfast in his confidence. When asking him what his goal for next season is, championship aside, he spoke about wanting to be the league’s most improved player. He’s been working on hesitation moves and shots off the dribble this offseason, excitedly preparing for a year that will inevitably put the ball in his hands more. He seems to have little doubts about transitioning into his new role with the Clippers.
On the court, broadcasters like to claim he “pesters” defenders. But this insinuates he is simply a nuisance that can be avoided with ease. He is a terror to play against and a large reason the Rockets were acceptable on defense last year. Hustling for every loose ball, telling me how much he enjoys grabbing offensive rebounds, and living up to his nickname by guarding guys nearly all 94 feet.
He plays with as much heart as he lives with.
Whether it is offering Milos one of his cars because he does not yet have one of his own, connecting with Austin Rivers off the court, or even speaking glowingly of his former high school foe, Derrick Rose (whom his high school team beat en route to a 23-game win streak that included a police escort). Beverley seems to make deep connections with people because he lives life the same way he plays basketball – passionately.
Size aside, he needed that passion to get past many obstacles.
“My mom always told me never pay to play basketball, so I never played AAU growing up.”
Never playing organized basketball until high school, his tough style of play has to be attributed to pick-up games in Chicago.
“You know, I didn’t notice it at the time. I picked up full court, it’s funny, I do the same thing now. I pick up full court on concrete, no matter who I am playing.”
“Just so happens, 17 years later I’m doing the same things in the NBA. You unconsciously do things growing up, not knowing where that might take you. [It’s what’s made] me successful in this league now.”
Successful beyond any reasonable projections. Getting kicked out of college and having to play overseas is on the long list of NBA career killers, somewhere near the top.
And yet, he found his way.
A classic Jerry Seinfeld joke goes something as follows: We don’t root for teams, we root for clothes.
It perfectly encapsulates the problems with fandom. We are supposed to remain fans through everything from name changes to institutional incompetence. Rooting for the colors of the clothing as much as the players in the jerseys.
Worse yet, we tend to not care much about the people in those jerseys, just the players.
Patrick Beverley stares this conundrum in the face as if it’s an opposing point guard with an attitude problem. Supporting good people is a smart philosophy and yet as loyal fans were are expected to harbor dissent for those who change clothing, despite the people they are.
Speaking with Pat and watching him interact with others made me question this sports norm. It made me question it not simply because he is a courteous human, but because the dissonance between player and person can be more extreme than normal fans are privy to.
The average fan will probably note his aggressiveness, fire and grit, knowing little else about him while OKC fans will probably speak about him with disdain. All strictly because of what they see on the court. Choosing to love or hate him through the grains of their TV screens.
J.R. Smith does not drink Henny, DeMarcus Cousins is a constant community philanthropist, Patrick Beverley is not as hostile as he appears on the court, and that opposing player you hate, you would actually love if he was on your favorite team. It may be time to stop rooting for laundry and start rooting for people.
Patrick Beverley is one of those people.
