Patrick Beverley on why Billy Donovan is one of the NBA’s most underrated coaches, tells Chicago Bulls story

Patrick Beverley says Billy Donovan’s teams always shoot good from the three-point line

In the modern era, teams cannot afford to be mediocre from the three-point line if they want to succeed in the league.

According to Beverley, the Bulls are luc ky in that department, thanks to coach Donovan’s strategies.

“The first person that jumps right off the page to me is Billy Donovan. If you look at his team’s shooting numbers and where they get their shots from…

“I think last year, he was maybe top five or six in three-pointers made and percentages. It doesn’t matter what players. I’ve played under him; he’s elite,” Beverley said on his podcast.

The Bulls’ stats from deep last season back up Beverley’s point about coach Donovan. The organization ranked third in three-pointers made during the 2024-25 NBA season.

Despite having a below-average roster, the Bulls were also 12th in three-point percentage, showing coach Donovan’s influence.

Patrick Beverley reveals how Billy Donovan recruited him to the Chicago Bulls

Following a short-lived spell with the Los Angeles Lakers, Beverley was traded to the Orlando Magic during the 2022-23 NBA season. However, Orlando waived Pat Bev.

He then signed with the Bulls for the rest of the season. The 3x All-Defensive guard revealed what coach Donovan told him before welcoming him to the Bulls.

“When I first signed with the Bulls, I was in Paris during the All-Star break. He goes, ‘I want to make this happen, are you interested?’

“‘Yeah, I’m interested. I’d like to come home and be coached by Billy Donovan, in my eyes, one of the greatest coaches. He did it at the collegiate level, and he won games in the NBA,'” Beverley stated.

Beverley then quickly earned a starting role on the team as he impressed coach Donovan sooner rather than later.

“He was like, ‘Okay, I don’t know how many minutes I’m giving you.’ ‘Cool, I don’t need any favors. I’ll learn everything, coach.’ ‘Okay, cool, I’ll see you when you get back. Enjoy your break.’

“I came in with the Bulls and had one practice. The next day, he walks over to me while I’m lifting weights. ‘Yeah, I’m starting you in the next game, just to let you know.’ He started me the whole way,” Beverley concluded.

Pat Bev averaged 5.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game over 22 appearances for the Bulls. Surprisingly, he shot a career-low 30.9% from the three-point line.