Kawhi Leonard is known around the league for showing almost no emotion whether he’s on the court or off of it. He has a penchant for absolutely dominating teams while keeping a straight face and going about the game like it’s a normal day at the office. NBA fans are so used to this side of Kawhi now that many were amazed when Michael Jordan got Leonard to smile during the 75th Anniversary Team event at All-Star Weekend.
Pat Beverley is the exact opposite of his former teammate though, Beverley is known for constantly chatting on the court and trying to get into the heads of his opponents. The two were on the Los Angeles Clippers together for a couple of years before Bev was traded and according to the guard, they still enjoy a great friendship.
JJ Redick: “Does he (Kawhi) talk with you guys? Cuz the joke with him is that he’s like a robot. But I assume that behind the scenes, off the camera, he talks to you guys, to his teammates.”
Patrick Beverley: “Man we were really close, still are. I wore a Zubac jersey to the game and he was like, ‘Hey man, why you didn’t wear my jersey to the game?’, sh*t like that.”
Leonard may not show too many emotions but he clearly has relationships with his teammates, as there haven’t been many who don’t love Kawhi. His incredible basketball abilities and generally composed demeanor make it hard for anyone to really dislike Leonard.
Beverley is with the Minnesota Timberwolves now and if they play the Clippers after Kawhi’s return, he will surely try to badger his old teammates in any way he can, but the mutual respect will likely always be there between him and Leonard. And who knows, Beverley might even be able to elicit a reaction from Kawhi.
