The Clippers transformed their team with last summer’s trade of Chris Paul, but they barely got to enjoy the benefits of one of the key pieces of that deal. Patrick Beverley played just 11 games before microfracture knee surgery ended his season. Now recovered, the 30-year-old guard feels like he has a lot to prove, relays James Blancarte of Basketball Insiders.
“I’m really ready. I like to go out there, put my game on the line and that’s more than just talking,” Beverley said. “I’m feeling really, really strong, I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life and we’re going to see soon.”
He isn’t a lock to make the team, though, if his health remains an issue. His $5MM salary won’t become fully guaranteed until January 10, the league-wide date to guarantee salaries.
Beverley was a defensive catalyst for five seasons in Houston before the Rockets included him as part of the package to acquire Paul. Beverley plans to bring that same energy to L.A., saying he wants to create a “Clamp City” identity in place of the former “Lob City.” The Clippers ranked 19th last season with a defensive rating of 107.7 and lost shot-blocking center DeAndre Jordan in free agency.
Beverley and Avery Bradley, who was acquired at midseason, could be an imposing defensive tandem in the backcourt. They will also serve as mentors to first-round pick Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose wingspan makes him a potentially dangerous defender.
The Clippers were hampered by injuries last season as Beverley was among several players who missed significant time. They got only 21 games from Danilo Gallinari, 45 from Milos Teodosic and 61 from Austin Rivers, who has since been traded to the Wizards. Blake Griffin played in 33 games before being dealt to the Pistons in late January.
“If you look at this team, our backcourt is loaded. It is loaded,” said Jerry West, who serves on the team’s executive board. “I feel a hundred percent sure last year, if we didn’t have all the injuries we had, would have made the playoffs.”
Tougher than big toenails. I like guys who get after it on defense. Defense is WANT TO. You have to Want To play good D.
Tell that to Lebron who hasn’t played defense since 2013.
It’s all in the pedicure.
You just think about LeBron all day don’t you?
I’m sick of that quitter.
Beverley is the guy you just love having on your team. We have almost to many guards but man do i want him to be here a long time.
Not sure how it works with Beverley & Bradley, yeah scary on defence but not so sure they are very creative or dangerous on the offence side.
Both have played Point, but neither are your typical shot creating or pass first guards. Both shoot well from beyond the arc, so maybe they rely on Harris to handle the ball, who is very adept at doing so for a big, and find shots for B & B.