The Los Angeles Clippers finally made their first conference final appearance in the 2021 NBA playoffs. Unfortunately, due to an untimely injury to their superstar, Kawhi Leonard derailed their hopes of winning the NBA Finals. This season, the franchise will try to overcome the last hurdle, but with an absence of a strong presence on the floor, Patrick Beverley.
After being one of the top defenders for the team over the last three seasons, Beverley was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. In exchange, the team acquired Eric Bledsoe’s services.
While on paper, it might seem like the Grizzlies won the trade, the story could be entirely different here. At least NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith believes that.
“I’d rather have Patrick Beverley come postseason and the last time I checked, the Clippers were trying to win a championship. This is what it is, the Los Angeles Clippers, a legitimate argument can be made – they should be standing here today as the NBA champions… I just look at it from the standpoint that being the professional hall of fame pest that he is. Somebody that just doesn’t go out there and plays, but really really tries to get into your head, I don’t see that in Eric Bledsoe.”
I think losing @patbev21 will be a big loss. pic.twitter.com/AQgSmrds9i
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 16, 2021
Patrick Beverley is not your regular guard. Instead of focusing on facilitating or scoring, Beverley’s main task is to defend and defend, like his life is on the line. He is known for his incredibly energizing presence on both on & off the court.
Like once, when Beverley told Steph Curry that his time was over and the next five years in the league were Beverley’s.
With his departure, the Clippers not only need someone who can replace his defensive prowess, but also a locker room presence to keep the unit tightly knit together.
While Bledsoe is certainly better than Beverley in the scoring department. Do you think Eric Bledsoe is someone who can take on the exact role that Pat Bev played for the Clippers? Or will he fail to replace Pat Bev and ultimately prove Stephen A’s assessment correct? Well, only time will tell.
