In perhaps the most predictable turn of events of the NBA’s early season, Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley held Lakers rookie sensation Lonzo Ball to three points on 1-of-6 shooting. Also predictably, Beverley was pleased with his handiwork after the game, according to ESPN’s Marc Spears:
“Clippers guard Patrick Beverly screamed outside locker room, ‘Weak ass m——- f——-. Bring him out on the court with me and I will tear his ass up.’ It’s presumed Beverly is talking about Lakers rookie guard Lonzo Ball.”
Getting matched up with Beverley in his first NBA game was more or less a worst-case scenario for Ball. Beverley is not only one of the more, let’s be charitable and say intense defenders in the league, he’s also precisely the type of guy who would spend all summer looking forward to stuffing Ball into a locker.
Beverley was his usual, aggravating self on the defensive end of the floor last night, bumping and shit-talking whenever possible. Imagine dealing with this shit during your first NBA game:
After the game, Beverley was much more diplomatic, calling Ball a “great talent” and telling reporters that he’ll be better for having gone through tough games like this one. The good news for Ball is that it probably doesn’t get any worse than being guarded by a motivated Patrick Beverley on opening night, although Beverley did leave him with a warning as they parted:
Maybe nobody else will care quite as much about humiliating LaVar Ball by shutting his son down on the court, but Beverley raises a good point. Opposing guards already have all the motivation they need to come after Lonzo hard in every game, though I doubt any of them will be quite as suited for the job as Beverley is.