Why Patrick Beverley should be everyone's favorite NBA player

It’s only been about 16 hours since I’ve felt this way but I’m loving it and very thankful that a person so endearing and inspiring has come into my life.

That person who has put a pep in my step is Patrick Beverley, the toughest player in the NBA who led the Los Angeles Clippers back to a record-breaking win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Monday night.

He’s now my favorite player in the league and he should be yours, too. Why? Because he’s everything that’s great about the game of basketball, about being a teammate, and about someone who just goes to work night in and night out willing to do whatever it takes to win.

I’ve always known of him, of course, watching games of his during his days with the Houston Rockets, annoying Russell Westbrook (who is also great), and being the kind of guy who isn’t afraid to get in an opponent’s head by doing whatever it takes. He’s a throw-back player in all the best ways.

But watching him play Monday night against the Warriors, seeing his battles with Kevin Durant continue, and then hearing this interview after the big win cemented this status as my favorite:

He said:

“I can’t help it if be get irritated by me. It’s not my fault. I try to be the best defender on this f****** planet. Consistently, in and out. I take my role, I take my job very seriously. I do it for my teammates. I understand my role and I understand how to get stops. KD isn’t an easy cover but it’s fun out there for sure.”

And then there was this, which is maybe the quote of the NBA season:

“Be Pat.”

Come on, how great is that? In this day-in-age when guys are seemingly finding the easiest way to jump teams and win championships by standing around the 3-point line and firing away, there’s somebody like Beverley who prides himself on doing the hard things, which might not be the sexiest things to do, all in order to get a win.

Because look what he did to Kevin Durant in Game 2 when the Clippers were down by 25… and look how he reacted to it, too:

Then look what he did to Steph Curry to help get the comeback going even more:

No. Quit. At. All.

Oh, and look at how fired up he was for his guys after rookie Landry Shamet hit what turned out to be the game-winning 3-pointer:

EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABANGLO

He had fouled out well before that moment but he was still 150-percent locked in.

His passion and willingness to do anything it takes to help his team win isn’t lost on his teammates:

Will the Clippers beat the Warriors in this series? Probably not. But It’s gonna be fun as hell to watch Beverley battle with them the rest of the way.

If you’re on the East Coast you should stay up late for these games and treat yourself to the Patrick Beverley Show, because it’s so darn enjoyable.

Though I don’t think Durant feels the same way.