Patrick Beverley had one of the most optimistic reactions to a free agent acquisition ever after the Clippers acquired Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
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The Clippers were the winners of the summer of 2019 according to most people. While the Lakers had managed their long sought-after trade target and paired LeBron James with Anthony Davis, their crosstown rivals did even better. They brought in the reigning Finals MVP as a free agent out of the Lakers’ grasp, and they traded for Paul George using the assets they had.
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The Clippers finished second in the Conference to the Lakers. Many expected them to pick up the pace in the playoffs, but they never really clicked as a unit. After an ignominous exit in the second round while holding a 3-1 series lead, the whole of NBA Twitter is on their back.
Patrick Beverley’s reaction to news of Kawhi and PG-13 joining the Clippers
Beverley, who was one of the team’s core pieces after the Lob City era, was understandably elated by the news. From being first round fodder, Beverley believed the Clippers had become favorites for the championship.
He received this news while he was in Las Vegas for the Summer League. He immediately ‘jumped onto a table’ and repeatedly cried ‘I just won the f****** championship’.
While he had good reason to be optimistic about his team’s chances at the time, the Clippers never hit their full potential through the season. The guard even addressed it in early February alongside Montrezl Harrell, wondering whether they would ever rev it up to 100.
The Clippers will be smarting from their upset this year and licking their wounds. Patrick Beverley, Paul George, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell have to take this on the chin and return with fire underneath their bellies next season.
