Very little gets by Patrick Beverley these days.
Opposing guards obviously top that list.
And when discussing what his addition has meant to the Bulls, he wasn’t going to let the team’s record since his arrival get the best of him, either.
“Should be 9-2,’’ Beverley insisted when the 7-4 record was brought up after the victory against the Heat on Saturday. “The team that really beat us was Phoenix . . . and Toronto.’’
He then mentioned that it took game-winners by the Pacers and Kings to knock off the Bulls.
“So really should be 9-2,’’ Beverley said.
Maybe.
But the idea that the Bulls’ culture and mentality have been transformed since Beverley signed with his hometown team isn’t up for debate.
“[Beverley has] added a lot of value to our team,’’ coach Billy Donovan said. “I love his presence, his competitiveness, the way he comes in [the locker room telling the team] on a back-to-back, ‘We’ve got to be ready to play!’
“I love his message and his disposition and the way he is every day. He has a great motor and enthusiasm and loves the game and loves competing. And I love being around him because he’s also very genuine and straight up.’’
The feeling is beyond mutual.
Before playing for Donovan, the former Marshall High School standout knew little about him.
All he has done since Day 1, however, is praise Donovan’s X’s and O’s as well as his game preparation.
“Billy’s got a lot of sh—,’’ Beverley has said several times, referring to Donovan’s knowledge.
He also appreciates that Donovan allows him to play “with freedom.’’ Beverley said the only other coach who put the basketball in his hands and allowed him to run the team and do what he feels he does best was Doc Rivers.
That freedom was apparent against the Heat. When Beverley got hot from outside in the second quarter, Donovan just rode him.
Beverley’s five three-pointers were a season high. It was the first time the Bulls got a glimpse of what he can bring offensively. His defense is well-known, but if he can be a consistent knock-down shooter, especially with how often DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine get double-teamed, it would provide quite a jolt with 12 regular-season games left and a play-in spot on the line.
“I’m 38% in my career from the three over a decade, but no matter how well I shoot it, I think it’s the look of me,’’ Beverley said. “People want to leave me open.
“Keep letting them do it . . . [forget] ’em.’’
When asked what he meant by the “look of me’’ comment, it was vintage Beverley, maintaining his me-against-the-world mentality.
“[The league sees] me as a defensive guy,’’ Beverley said. “They don’t see me as a three-point shooter. My numbers are up there with the best of them. [But] you’ve got to take away something. I’ve played with a lot of great guards and am fortunate to play with DeMar and Zach. No one person can guard them. I guess it’s Pat Bev [they leave open]. I like it that way.
“[In the Bulls’ victory Friday against the Timberwolves], the right play was them putting the ball in the hole. [The Heat] double-teamed [LaVine and DeRozan], and they were able to kick it out. I’m a basketball player. I’m always going to make the right play.’’