"I put my hand out for Deandre to shake it and he don’t shake it, something was brewing there from the beginning!" - Patrick Beverley reveals what led to him pushing Deandre Ayton
Patrick Beverley and Deandre Ayton
© Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic - USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley has been trending as of late following a physical altercation with Phoenix Suns Centre Deandre Ayton that landed him in hot water with the league office.
The Lakers took on the Suns in Arizona on November 22nd in a tightly contested affair inside Footprint Center. Unfortunately, the game ended in drama as Beverley was ejected for a shove that sent Ayton to the floor.
The drama began before tip-off
Tension was brewing between the two teams throughout the night, and on his latest podcast episode, Beverley revealed the origins of the bad blood that eventually led to his encounter with Ayton in the fourth quarter.
“It felt like everything happened slow, when in reality it happened really fast. So obviously you know everyone saw it. It actually kicked off at tip ball. You know, I shake everybody’s hand, and I put my hand out for Deandre to shake it and he don’t shake it. You know what I’m saying. So of course people think I pushed him because he didn’t shake my hand but that’s not the case. So something was brewing there from the beginning. Obviously after he didn’t shake my hand I used several different words at him. I saw him standing over him (Austin Reaves) and I said ‘I nah we aint having that’”.
Patrick Beverley, The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone
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Beverley’s comments refer to the play that occurred before he shoved Ayton, as Suns star Devin Booker slapped Lakers’ Austin Reaves in the face following a drive to the basket, and both Booker and Ayton stood over Reaves as he was laying on the court.
Beverley took this as a sign of disrespect, and his act of aggression sent a message that he was not standing for Ayton’s behavior.
Nevertheless, it’s obvious that before the game even tipped off, Ayton was on Beverley’s radar.
Beverley's reputation played a part.
The 34-year-old was subsequently suspended by the league office and missed the next three games the Lakers played against the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers.
Unfortunately for Beverley, his reputation likely played a part in his hefty suspension, given his track record of dirty plays in previous seasons.
Luckily for him, he’s now served his time and has been cleared to return to the fold for the Lakers. He may have stood up for his teammate, but the roster will now need the feisty guard to contribute in the box score, as he’s struggled on the offensive end to begin the campaign.
