Former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley is certainly a polarizing character. He is the guy who will either make or break an opponent, a team, or even his teammates. In direct competition, his constant stream of trash-talking opponents is part of his skill set, as he can get in the heads of less determined opponents and shake their confidence.
But as Timberwolves fans witnessed firsthand during the NBA Playoffs, a poorly timed taunt from Patrick Beverley to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant when the Timberwolves had the Grizzlies on the ropes with a double-digit lead in Game 5 led to Morant single-handedly digging the Grizzlies out of the hole and on to a 4-2 playoff series win.
Taking it up a notch
Such is the blessing/bane of Patrick Beverley. He forces everyone around him to take it up a notch. But that same condescending demeanor can rip a team apart as well. Not everyone is suited to play alongside Pat Bev, as the LA Lakers appear to be discovering:
Russ with no interest in joining Pat Bev’s defensive huddle after fouling his man on that end of the floor
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) October 13, 2022
(h/t @JacobRude)pic.twitter.com/OrjfhvtZhK
Westbrook is a player who has been the star, the triple-double machine that has been the talk of the town. But on this night, facing the Timberwolves mostly backups in a preseason game, his star was plenty tarnished. In 25 minutes, he scored just five points, handed out four assists, was pickpocketed for three turnovers, and was called for one personal foul.
He was having the night that he wanted to put behind him and quickly forget. But forgetting is not happening with Patrick Beverley on the scene. That is where the trouble began.