Succeeding in the NBA takes a lot more than just talent and skill. While hard work and mental strength are also important aspects, a part of the game that is not talked about enough is making the most of minor advantages by reading the opponent.
Patrick Beverley is a master of the ‘dark arts’ on defense, taking every advantage he can to stop the player he is guarding and get under their skin. But offensive players, especially the smartest guards flip that on its head. And he recently revealed the three best ‘offensive jersey grabbers’ in the modern game.
Jay Williams asked Beverley, “Who’s the best jersey grabber in the league? Offensively? Offensive jersey grabber. Sh*t that people don’t talk about.”
Patrick Beverley was intrigued by the question, and answered, “Luka’s tough, he up there. Kyrie’s tough, he up there. But it’s like the middle-tier point guards in the league, like, Kemba used to be great at it.”
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are both known for their prowess in terms of manipulating defenses, so it’s no surprise that both earned a mention. While Kemba Walker is not in the NBA at the moment, he is a former All-Star, and he was an elusive player to mark during his prime as well.
Athleticism, skill, agility, all these things are easy to measure, and they set some players apart. But the ones that truly dominate are those that know the little ways to throw off their opponents. Patrick Beverley is unlikely to mention Chris Paul considering how much they seemingly dislike one another, but he’s also a player that takes full advantage of things like grabbing opponents’ jerseys.
Patrick Beverley Previously Called Luka Doncic The Toughest NBA Player To Guard
Despite being undersized, Patrick Beverley has made his name in the NBA by being a tenacious defender. So he has naturally been asked often about who he thinks the toughest player to guard is. And he mentioned Luka Doncic when asked about who he has major difficulty guarding.
“His intelligence. He’s physical as f*** and flops at the same time, which is the same thing I do… Swipe at me, “Oh he’s trying to kill me, ref, get him, he’s trying to kill me.”
“He’s the exact same like he initiates the contact and hits you… It’s not muscle with him, and that’s no discredit to his body or anything. That’s just how he’s made, it’s kind of that flabby solid type… You can’t really guard him physically the way I want to guard him.”
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will both be on the Dallas Mavericks again next season if the franchise can re-sign Irving. If that does happen, then Beverley won’t be the only NBA defender worried about how they’re going to stop both wily operators from scoring with ease.
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