Houston Rockets news: Patrick Beverley opens up on ‘HATRED’ for Golden State Warriors
HOUSTON ROCKETS fan favourite Patrick Beverley may no longer be playing in Clutch City but the 30-year-old remains a staunch supporter from afar.
Beverley was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers last year in a monster deal containing Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Lou Williams, Kyle Wiltjer and a 2018 first-round pick, with Chris Paul heading in the opposite direction.
Such a situation might leave some players with a sense of bitterness at having been moved on but Chicago native Beverley remains a passionate fan of his former franchise.
Speaking to the Houston Chronicle yesterday, the fiery guard described his relationship with some of his former team-mates.
“I was with Trevor Ariza for his birthday the last night before free agency,” he explained.
“I talked to him throughout the playoffs. Clint [Capela] is a big-time friend of mine. You build long-time relationships.
“I talk to Ryan Anderson. I spoke at his wedding. I talk to Eric Gordon all the time. When you battle [together] on the hardwood, it's more than that outside of basketball.
“I hate Golden State. I wish the Rockets would've beat them. They fell short, but I was super happy with the success they had last year.”
Beverley is currently recovering after suffering a serious knee injury that ended his season in November last year.
The former Eurobasket star required surgery to repair “a microfracture and meniscus injury to his right knee”, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski earlier this year.
“Rehab is fine — over and done with,” he continued.
“I got cleared about two months ago by Dr. Lowe. [I was] coming from a season where I [was] playing, arguably, the best basketball I've ever played in my life. [I had] a career high in points (and) a career high in steals.
“[It was] an unfortunate situation, but everything happens for a reason. It forced me to get stronger, mentally and physically. I'm ready to go.”