When people talk about the greatest players of all time, the likes of Michael Jordan and LeBron James dominate the conversation. Even Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry deserve consideration. However, a name that definitely won't come up in such discussions is Patrick Beverley.
Yet, the aspiring Israeli Basketball Premier League and EuroCup star mentioned himself in the same breath as the four legends. Beverley didn't say he should be included in the GOAT debate but used the candidates as examples to illustrate why there is no other player like him.
"Steph Currys, LeBron Jameses, Kobe Bryants, Michael Jordans, those guys come all the time," he said on his podcast . "We might not understand it. Ane we might, 'All those guys are a dime a dozen.' Look up. 'It's the next Derrick Rose. It's the next [Russell] Westbrook.' Only one Draymond Green. Only one Pat Bev. One Dennis Rodman."
An ironic take
According to the veteran guard, no one looks at prospects and says they will be the next Dray or Beverley. However, that doesn't make him and other defensive-minded players more unique than superstars. In fact, it just goes to show that more attention is given to the likes of Curry , James, Bryant , and Jordan.
Pat also mentioned Marcus Smart, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White as similar figures. Ironically, that merely countered his assertion because there might be more players like him than those who are like the superstars.
Of course, Beverley might have been emphasizing how important it is for teams to have key pieces willing to get down and dirty in the defense and hustle department. That couldn't be more true. But it's also worth noting that rarely have there been champions who didn't have superstars to lead the way.
Related: "Malone really was the weak link" - Isiah Thomas believes the Jazz would have beaten the Bulls if Karl Malone had made his free throws
Beverley's time to shine
Maybe the 36-year-old journeyman can find himself in the same air as the NBA legends after leaving the Association to suit up for Hapoel Tel Aviv. Despite assuring fans that he is prepared to head home if his safety is compromised, "Mr. 94 Feet" is moving on from being a role player and looking forward to being a star .
So far in the preseason, he has shown his offensive repertoire, which he couldn't display in the NBA standing in the corner waiting for the ball to come to him.
It remains to be seen if Beverley can become a EuroCup MVP again. The last time he hoisted the trophy in the European professional hoops league was in 2012, a year before he bagged a contract to play in the NBA.
Related: Patrick Beverley talks about his full circle moment with Michael Jordan: "His boat a little bigger than mine, but I came on a boat too"
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