OKC Thunder Public Enemy Number One – Patrick Beverley

Entering the playoffs many OKC Thunder fans shuddered to think of a certain Rockets guard with an infamous past at the Peake. The question remains, is Patrick Beverley a pest or a punk?

While the OKC Thunder prepared for their first-round playoff series most pundits focused on the competing MVP candidate narrative. But, for others there lingered a bitter taste over a short-lived playoff run all because of Patrick Beverley.

Recalling the 2013 playoffs, the OKC Thunder appeared poised for a very likely championship run. Until Patrick Beverley took what many deemed a cheap shot at Russell Westbrook.

As the Thunder point guard signaled the team was going to take a time out Beverley continued at full speed and knocked the unsuspecting Westbrook in the knee from behind. The resulting effect is Russ was knocked out of the playoffs with a torn meniscus.

The severity of the injury went well beyond the knee injury as it ended Westbrook’s incredulous iron man run. Up to that point in Westbrook’s high school, college, and pro career he had never missed a game. Ironically, this injury was arguably what pulled the domino which would commence the downward shift of the magical Westbrook-Durant era.

Lock Down Defender or Dirty Player?

Role players come in many forms with defenders who offer grit and toughness highly sought after rare commodities. Charles Oakley, Dennis Rodman, Gary Payton, Ben Wallace, Tony Allen even OKC’s own Andre Roberson.

Then there are players who are considered dirty players. Rodman fell into both categories. Other infamous names that could be added to the cheap shot artist list are Bill Lambier, Bruce Bowan, Reggie Evans, Matthew Dellavedova, and Patrick Beverley. These are individuals who would do whatever was necessary to win a game. Players who seemingly don’t care if they hurt a player let alone cause long term injury.

Beverley has long taken great pleasure in his pesky abilities though he cites his defensive prowess as his calling card. In December Patrick Beverley termed himself  “best defender in the league this season“.

 Beverley’s Lack of Success on Playoff Westbrook:

Granted he is having to stop Russell Westbrook, but so far his defensive efforts through three playoff games on  Russell Westbrook is far from stellar:

• Scoring: 35.0 points per game is second only to Harden (38.7 ppg) second in scoring with 35.0 points per game, second only to Harden (38.7)
• Assists: 10.3 assists per game, second to LeBron James (10.7 apg)
• Rebounds: 11.0 rebounds per game places him second only to DeAndre Jordan (14.3 rpg)

Not exactly the stuff of Defensive Player of the Year right?

Chicken Little?

Though Beverley and many pundits maintain Beverley is simply a pesky defender, there is ample evidence to suggest otherwise.  Just like the cheap shot, Beverley took on Westbrook there are countless examples of his dirty play.

A common thread running through his antics is Beverley often goes above and beyond to take the extra unnecessary dirty shot.  An extra elbow, a second slap, and often Beverley’s moves occur when the player isn’t aware the shot is coming. Typical cheap shot material.

After the infraction, he’ll run away or act like an innocent child. Furthermore, PBev’s targets are never restricted to reserve players, rather he prefers taking cheap shots at star players. Frankly, it’s shocking Beverley hasn’t been the recipient of a similar infraction. But, the NBA, unlike the NHL doesn’t have a prototypical enforcer.

Do Unto Others:

In follow up the point above, perhaps someone has taken umbrage with the 2013 incident. It appears Beverley finds himself facing the wrath of angry OKC Thunder fans who remember his cheap shot on Westbrook. Specifically Stuart Scaramucci.

As ESPN notes the Rockets have requested the League investigate an incident from Friday’s Game 3 at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

"In the first half, Beverley got knocked down after attempting a layup and landed at a fan’s feet, identified as Stuart Scaramucci, son of minority Thunder owner Jay Scaramucci. Beverley got up and immediately started to complain about Scaramucci.He pointed at Scaramucci as referee Scott Foster and several Rockets went to help him up. After the game, Beverley approached Scaramucci, who was sitting behind the basket, and they got into a heated discussion."

As per above Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reports Beverley can dish it out, but he apparently can’t take it. Granted, Scaramucci isn’t a player and I’m not condoning fans interacting with players. Rather, it’s just an observation regarding how Beverley deals with situations when he is in fact the victim. Sort of feels like the boy who cried wolf–doesn’t it?

Payback is a …

Ultimately, I’ll never forget the night Beverley took the cheap shot on Westbrook. One of the B-Boyz (the group of my buddies who convene to watch/discuss NBA games) started to laugh at how upset I got over Beverley’s cheap shot on Westbrook.  I went into a long tirade of “what if Westbrook is injured? What if it’s serious and he can’t play or worse has to miss the playoffs?”

Infuriated by the play and his giggles, said BBoy was asked to put on his shoes and leave. In total transparency and fairness, in my irrational angered state, I probably took out my anger on him.

Still, 6 days ago there was a loud cheer that went up as the BBoyz and I congregated to watch OKC at Houston. When Steven Adams set the bone-jarring screen (seen above) that sent Beverley to the Toyota Center hardwood, my phone rang. It was my buddy who simply said, “payback is a b-tch, now can I come watch the game?“