For a medium like TrashTalk, trash talk is of course considered an art in its own right. An art certainly in decline, but which still has real standard bearers in the current NBA. Among them ? Patrick Beverley, voted #1 trashtalker by his peers at All-Star Weekend.
It’s no secret that Pat Bev likes to open her big mouth. He likes to send spikes, he likes to provoke, he likes to tickle his opponents to try to get them out of their hinges. That’s a big part of what makes the character, with his defensive pit bull side. And obviously, at 34, Patoche’s tongue is still hanging out.
During Salt Lake City All-Star Weekend, There’s Joe Vardon, Law Murray and Bob Kravitz The Athletic went to meet 22 players participating in the various festivities to ask them some questions related to the Great League, in particular the one concerning the biggest trashtalker in the NBA today. Result ? Pat Beverley finishes first (6 votes) ahead of another specialist in the discipline, Draymond Green (4 votes).
“Pat Beverley is unbeatable at trashtalking”
– Paul George, Pat Bev’s former Clippers teammate
Unbeatable, to this point? Originality level, probably. Efficiency level on the other hand, not sure. No one has forgotten the scene where he…brought a camera to the referee during Celtics–Lakers to show him his gross mistake regarding an uncalled foul on LeBron James. It was really funny, but it penalized his team because he took a technique. We also haven’t forgotten the day he swung at Stephen Curry – we quote – “You had the last five years, the next five are for me”. That too was really funny, especially when you know what happened next.
In the end, whether his trashtalking is an effective strategy or not, Pat Bev will never stop talking trash, especially to the biggest NBA stars (Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul…). And that’s exactly why he leaves no one indifferent.
“Pat knows it’s his role, it’s his way of influencing the game, messing things up and taking players out of their comfort zone.”
– Kevin Huerter, Kings player
Source texte : The Athletic