Patrick Beverley was acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks on the trade deadline to add defensive intensity to a roster that, up until that point, was one of the weakest in the NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo has commented on his partnership with Beverley so far, heaping praise on the veteran 3-and-D guard.
“He's one of those guys that — Sorry for my language — that you say, 'he's an A**hole.' But when he plays on your team, like, 'That's my a**hole.' You know? And I love him. We love playing with him. He's a leader, he knows how to play the game. He's a winner.”
Giannis enjoys having acerbic teammates who can push him to unlock a higher level of performance by motivating him. Beverley is known as an antagonist and irritant around the NBA, but he's always been liked by his teammates on whichever franchise he ends up on.
Beverley is averaging 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on the Bucks, playing a small role in limited minutes. The team's defense has been climbing up the ranks, having a top-five best defensive rating in the NBA since the All-Star break. Bev's presence also motivates the franchise's other star, Damian Lillard, as the pair have had a heated rivalry for the last few years before burying the hatchet as teammates in Milwaukee.
Giannis Tried Recruiting Patrick Beverley When He Played In Minnesota
Beverley is known for his long stint with the LA Clippers, but that ended with a trade that ultimately saw Beverley join the Timberwolves as the team made their first playoff appearance in three years with Beverley on the roster in 2022.
During a game between the Bucks and Wolves that season, Beverley revealed that Giannis tried recruiting him to join Milwaukee after sharing some lighthearted trash-talk on the court.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: "Never duck smoke, Pat. Never, never duck smoke."
Patrick Beverley: "I said, 'Why the f--- you ain't playing, Greek?'"
Giannis Antetokounmpo: "I was in the back eating pasta, but never duck smoke, Pat. Never, never. I like you, Pat. You want to win championship? I like you. You come to Milwaukee, Pat. I like you."
Beverley failed at an attempt to recruit Giannis to Minnesota in that conversation but it's good to see that the pair finally got to link up as teammates. PatBev joined the Lakers after his stint in Minnesota, getting traded after half a season and winding up with his hometown Bulls. He signed with the 76ers this summer just to be traded to Milwaukee, which might be a better winning situation for him.
The Bucks are the No. 2 seed in the East and might be the biggest threat to the No. 1 seed Boston Celtics in the conference.
Milwaukee has suffered with inconsistency all season, even sacking their coach mid-season and replacing him with Doc Rivers. That decision looked bad after the Bucks started the Rivers era under .500, but it is looking better now with the ship being corrected.
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