The Milwaukee Bucks remain undefeated in the Patrick Beverley era. This is after they went 2-0 on Monday night by blowing out the defending champions Denver Nuggets at the Fiserv Forum, 112-95.
It’s not as if Beverley led the Bucks to two straight wins since his arrival, but the fact that Milwaukee has scored lopsided wins in their last two probably has something to do with the arrival of the veteran guard.
Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst on Patrick Beverley’s Fit on Roster
It’s no secret that Beverley didn’t exactly get along with Damian Lillard in the past. It’s not as if they’re sworn enemies, but these two have a bit of history — one that both players have acknowledged and are willing to set aside for the good of the team.
As for their fit on the court, Bucks General Manager Jon Horst believes that given his skillset, Pat Bev can absolutely thrive alongside Lillard:
“I do. That’s why I highlight the versatility,” Horst said of Beverley, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “He’s obviously capable of guarding point guards, but I think he’s been able to guard up in positions in his career. He’s a smart offensive player that can do a lot of different things on the floor offensively to help a team, and I think that plays well with our team. I don’t think he just has to have the ball in his hands. He can play off the ball. He can play on the ball. And I think, as always, some of it will be dependent on matchups, but teams are going to have to match up with us also and having speed and physicality in your backcourt and capable scorers, we have matchups that can do that.
“Having guys that can get into you and guard you defensively and pick up 94 (feet) when we need to is something that he’s done, something that he can do. He can play with Dame. He can play with Malik (Beasley). He can play in lineups when neither of them are on the floor when he’s playing true point guard minutes. I think, going back to the pillars, point of attack defense and then defensive versatility were two of the things that we really focused in on and I think he checks those boxes.”
Horst has clearly thought this one through, and it is obvious that Beverley figures significantly in the team’s plans moving forward. He probably won’t be the X-Factor that leads Milwaukee to a championship, but having Pat Bev on the squad appears to be a big win for the Bucks in itself.
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