Source: MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images / Getty
Patrick Beverley earned the reputation of being a feisty and pesky defensive player in the NBA, and he has no shortage of moments where he clearly tried to get under an opponent’s skin. Now comfortably at home watching the NBA Playoffs going forward without him, Pat Bev unleashed some high-level hate towards sworn enemy Chris Paul, and Twitter can’t seem to get enough of it.
Pat Bev sat down on Monday with ESPN’s Get Up program and got into some testy back and forth with Stephen A. Smith after referring to Paul, an All-Star point guard and a shoo-in for the Basketball Hall of Fame, as a “cone” as in “traffic cone” after suggesting he’s unable to guard anyone in the league.
“CP can’t guard nobody man. Everybody in the NBA know that. … He’s a cone. … Give him the Ben Simmons slander.”
(via @GetUpESPN) pic.twitter.com/9bh8HOdJ0J
— ESPN (@espn) May 16, 2022
“CP can’t guard nobody man. Everybody in the NBA know that,” Beverley said, adding, “Like in the summertime, you got a [traffic] cone. You make a move, and what does the cone do? He’s a cone. Stop playin’ man.”
J.J. Redick also tried to offer perspective during the exchanges but like his stout defense on the hardwood, Pat Bev was not to be easily moved. In the end, it appears that whatever old beef that began after Beverely shoved Paul in the back after the conclusion of the 2021 Western Conference Finals with the Suns advancing and the Los Angeles Clippers going home.
.@patbev21 says the Suns should've benched Chris Paul instead of Deandre Ayton
"They benched the wrong person. They should've benched Chris."
(via @GetUpESPN) pic.twitter.com/wjMBWVybRV
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 16, 2022
Matt Barnes called out Beverley and essentially referred to him as a role player that nobody will remember once he leaves the game. In fairness, Barnes put himself in that same category and spoke from the position of showing respect for CP3 and his greatness.
Matt Barnes getting At Pat Bev pic.twitter.com/jTLDPUSjfl
— Threeletterman3 (@3LMthree) May 16, 2022
Beverley, who was a guest on Redick’s podcast, explained earlier this year that he and CP3’s rivalry extends back to when the pair were players in high school and the beef naturally spilled over to the NBA. However, it seems like Beverley’s immense hate for Chris Paul was new to many basketball fans and the reactions below are taking note.
@Dame_Lillard yo Coach got my number
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 16, 2022
We forgot to add, Dame Lillard entered the chat too.
Cuz nobody guarding this man . https://t.co/MlnKvLvWrh
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 16, 2022
—
Photo: Getty
1.
Bra on TV acting like his word law. Speaking on private convos and praying on mfs downfall. This weird behavior smh
… I ain’t got a horse in the race https://t.co/F6Cln8BBst
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 16, 2022
2.
Pat Bev displayed a level of hate that hasn’t been seen since 2000 pic.twitter.com/83Almom2al
— Rasheed Sunflower
(@kingofmey) May 16, 2022
4.
Pat Bev so much of a generational hater that I like this nigga now. Hate recognize hate
— TY-RIN (@GothamCityGoon) May 16, 2022
6.
How Pat Bev pulled up to ESPN to hate on CP3 pic.twitter.com/e7DPile0V6
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 16, 2022
7.
Pat Bev: "How did you look at (Devin Booker) before?"
SAS: "He's a star"
Pat Bev: "What kinda star: a five-pointed star or a six-pointed star?"
This is why I will always love Pat Bev
pic.twitter.com/SotOdsX7Xp
— Scooter McGavin (@CamronSanto) May 16, 2022
8.
you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself kind of liking pat bev
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) May 16, 2022
9.
Pat Bev is pumping out so many bonkers takes that First Take won’t even go to commercial they’re just gonna refund all the sponsors.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 16, 2022
10.
"ESPN gave me the numbers"
LLLMMAAOOO I can't wait for Pat Bev's career as an analyst pic.twitter.com/vQFBQq3vra
— Piñata Farms
(@pinatafarms) May 16, 2022
11.
Pat Bev telling his grandkids that CP3 wasn’t shit pic.twitter.com/MlPyooYHKg
— Anthony Moore (@AllThatandMoore) May 16, 2022
12.
Pat Bev on ESPN discussing Chris Paul pic.twitter.com/EJgwn73LLd
— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) May 16, 2022
13.
What pat bev really wanted to say to Chris Paul #chrispaul #patbev pic.twitter.com/RFaSUaJVz6
— ky (@KyFromDaWoods) May 17, 2022

… I ain’t got a horse in the race 
(@kingofmey)
(@PlayoffLakeShow) 

(@pinatafarms)