Patrick Beverley recently shared his list of the top five current NBA centers, with some surprising inclusions and a notable omission. In a conversation on ‘The Pat Bev Pod’, the outspoken guard ranked Nikola Jokic at the top, followed by Joel Embiid, emphasizing that Jokic’s recent championship gave him the edge. Beverley clarified that if Jokic hadn’t won, Embiid, the reigning MVP, would be his number one pick.
“Okay, here we go. Jokic is No. 1, Joel Embiid is No. 2. And I’m only doing that because Jokic has a won championship. If Jokic didn’t win a championship, Joel Embiid would be my number one.”
“Big Zu is a friend of mine, he’s for sure top five… That leaves me two positions, probably three and four. I’m gonna go Anthony Davis first, then Bam.”
The starting 5 best centers in the NBA! Presented by @NewAmsterdam pic.twitter.com/4RT2Op4vTl
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) September 5, 2024
Jokic’s exceptional playmaking ability, combined with his MVP-caliber performances in the regular season and playoffs, earned him the top spot. Despite Embiid’s dominance, Beverley emphasized that the ultimate goal is championships, which tipped the scales in Jokic’s favor.
Where Beverley’s list diverged from conventional rankings was in the third spot, where he placed his friend, Ivica Zubac, of the Los Angeles Clippers. Zubac, though a solid contributor, doesn’t often make top-five lists, but Beverley’s personal connection likely played a role in his inclusion.
Beverley completed his list by ranking Anthony Davis at fourth and Bam Adebayo at fifth, both respected for their defensive prowess and versatility. Davis, despite being primarily a power forward, has spent considerable time at center for the Lakers and has been crucial for the team on both ends of the floor. Adebayo, known for his ability to defend multiple positions, is a key figure for the Miami Heat.
Beverley’s rankings sparked conversation, particularly the inclusion of Zubac and the exclusion of Wembanyama. Despite the unconventional list, Beverley’s reasoning highlighted the subjective nature of player rankings, influenced by both performance and personal relationships.
Patrick Beverley Claims He Never Trash Talked Stephen Curry
Patrick Beverley recently clarified that he never made the infamous comment directed at Stephen Curry, “You had the last five years. The next five years are mine,” which has been circulating online since 2019. Speaking on ‘The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone’, Beverley explained that while he did have a conversation with Curry during a 2019 game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, the specific words attributed to him were not accurate.
Pat Bev says he never told Steph Curry, "The next five years are mine."
“It was like, ‘You had your time, now it’s time to switch up.’”
(🎥 @PatBevPod )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 6, 2024
Beverley acknowledged that the internet often distorts stories, and he admitted to letting the narrative run its course despite it not being true. The exchange reportedly occurred during a 141-122 blowout win by the Clippers over the Warriors, and Beverley was feeling confident after his team’s strong start to the 2019-20 season.
This was right after the Clippers had acquired Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, while the Warriors had lost Kevin Durant, making it seem like a power shift in the Western Conference.
While Beverley might not have made the “five years” comment, the sentiment remained—he believed it was the Clippers’ time to shine. However, the Clippers fell short of expectations in the seasons that followed, while Curry and the Warriors bounced back to win another NBA championship in 2022.
In the end, despite the initial hype and trash talk, Curry had the last laugh, solidifying his legacy while Beverley has since moved on to play in Israel for Hapoel Tel Aviv.
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