Rivers handing Beverley keys like Rondo, CP3
LOS ANGELES — Doc Rivers’ greatest success has come with quarterback-like point guards in Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul. Now, the LA Clippers‘ coach is beginning to put some exclusive trust in a third point guard — Patrick Beverley.
After the Clippers made franchise history with three players scoring 30 or more in the same game and outlasting the New York Knicks 135-132, Rivers revealed he has begun the process of handing over more of the team’s offensive playcalling to Beverley. Rivers has been giving Beverley his play sheet, something he has done with just two other point guards in his 20-plus seasons as head coach.
“We’re doing a lot of things. We’re giving him a play sheet before, and we leave it out so he can stare at them during every timeout,” Rivers said. “You can see him grabbing it, and he’s really trying to do this and be good at it. I’ve done it to two guards where I’ve actually given them my play sheet, you know Chris and Rondo. Other than that, I don’t give anybody else that sheet because they can’t handle it, you know.
“And we’re starting to slowly add things to that sheet for Pat, and he’s getting better and better at it. It’s been very good for him.”
Beverley, who is in his eighth season and third with Rivers and the Clippers, returned Sunday from a three-game absence with a sprained right wrist and had six points, six assists and five rebounds with no turnovers. With Beverley back on the court, Montrezl Harrell (34 points), Paul George (32 points) and Lou Williams (32 points) became the first trio of Clippers to score 30 or more in the same game.
While the Clippers struggled badly on defense, allowing a total of 272 points in back-to-back home games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Knicks, Rivers liked what he saw offensively Sunday. The coach credited Beverley for calling a good game, like a catcher in baseball. Rivers said it’s something that hasn’t happened and something that is needed.
Beverley — who signed a three-year, $40 million contract in free agency — has made a name in the league for his defense and dogged rebounding. He provided the game-clinching block on a LeBron James 3-point attempt to help the Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers for a second time this season on Christmas Day. But now Beverley is trying to be an extension of Rivers, who can be demanding, especially with how his offense is run.
“He used to yell at me the last three years,” Beverley said. “… I see him smiling a lot more than yelling at me all the time [now]. But you know me, everything I do is for the team, to try to win as many basketball games as we possibly can. I go out there and try to do all the right things. I don’t care if I score 40 points or four points, I just try to impact the game in a lot of other ways. So far this year, I have been successful, but I still got a lot of work to do.”
Rivers went 53-39 in the postseason with Rajon Rondo at point in Boston, and they won a title together in 2008. The Celtics went 338-219 with Rivers and Rondo from 2006 to ’13. Rivers and the Clippers were 328-217 from 2013 to ’17, when Paul was there, and the two were 17-19 together in the playoffs.
Rivers said he would like to have it so he isn’t barking out plays and slowing the Clippers on offense as they try to quickly get into sets. That is why he and the coaching staff approached Beverley, who was part of the Paul trade between the Clippers and Rockets in 2017, with the added responsibility of having the play sheet for games.
This is a vital week for the Clippers, who have four days off to not only get healthier but get some rare practice time in because their schedule has been so packed.
It gives also Beverley more time to master Rivers’ playbook and learn what works best with which lineups.
“Pat does a lot of great things,” George said. “A lot of great things that again, he doesn’t get credit for when you look at stats, but he just does so much great stuff. His willingness to give himself up every possession, whether it’s screening, whether it’s cutting or just making the right plays, he just gives himself up.
“Prime example: he had a corner 3 where he was wide open, but he swung it to another person who was wide open. You can’t say enough about what he brings and his value toward this team.”