Patrick Beverley had an eventful basketball career across Europe and in the NBA. Among the highlights of his was his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. From 2019 to 2021, he teamed up with none other than Kawhi Leonard , who he acknowledged for his all-around effort on and off the court.
Beverley recently made an appearance on Udonis Haslem's podcast and had some interesting things to say. He called Leonard the hardest-working player he's ever played with, even putting him above LeBron James .
“[Leonard is the] hardest working [expletive] I've seen in my life,” the guard said on “The OGs.” “In the weight room, it's LeBron. On the court, it's Kawhi. Together, weight room and court, Kawhi. I ain't seen nobody like him. That's why he be hurt. People don't understand, that's why he [gets] hurt.”
Work ethic worth
Since entering the NBA, Kawhi has faced numerous injuries, making him one of the most debated players in basketball. The two-time NBA champion has only played over 70 games twice in his 13-year NBA career, even missing an entire season in 2022-2023. Pat Bev thinks that people criticize his injury problems and fail to realize how he works behind the scenes to condition himself.
“We drive up to San Diego, and we in that [expletive] lab for three hours,” Beverley continued. "I'm talking like 11 spots, like damn, I never even shot 11 spots. 'Make 20, 11 spots [midrange], make 20, 11 spots [3-pointers], make 20, 11 spots pump-fake, make 20, 11 spots pump-fake [3-pointer]. Make 20, 11 spots? I am usually five, maybe seven, even nine, but 11?”
Beverley was floored by Leonard’s grueling workout routine. Because of his quiet nature, people tend to underestimate him away from cameras and off the court. The people closest to the two-time Finals MVP will tell you that his intensity in practices is unlike any player, perhaps one of the reasons he’s more injury-prone.
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An injury crisis
Last season, Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, earning a spot on an All-NBA team and even making a midseason push at the MVP award. But staying healthy has been a challenge for most of his career. He only played in two out of six playoff games for the Clippers during the postseason.
Kawhi’s frequent absences have often made him a lightning rod for criticism, most famously coming from renowned sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, who once said on ESPN’s “First Take” that Kawhi “invents ways of getting hurt,” which comes after he described the forward as the “worst superstar” ever .
He lost his spot on Team USA for the Paris Olympics due to injury woes. It would have been his first Olympic appearance, but the Clippers had concerns about his health after he missed 12 of the team’s last 14 games of the season with a knee problem. Team USA and L.A. decided it was best for him to prepare for the upcoming NBA season. Kawhi had been gearing up for the Olympics, even having some strong practices in Las Vegas, but in the end, he respected the decision to prioritize his health. As a result, Boston Celtics guard Derrick White stepped in to replace him.
Kawhi's knees have endured a lot. From mysterious injuries with the San Antonio Spurs—when he missed 73 games during the 2017 season, causing teammates Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to call a team meeting—to major issues like the ACL tear he suffered during the 2021 playoffs, it’s clear he’s not going to be healthy for a full 82-game regular season again.
The Clippers and Kawhi need to find a balance to maximize his time on the court. With Paul George out, Leonard will be a bigger focal point with a loaded set of responsibilities. But if No. 2 struggles with injuries again, it will be the same old story.
Related: "Go get your bag, P" – PG shares Kawhi understood his decision to go to the Philadelphia 76ers
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