Patrick Beverley names Kawhi Leonard above 10-time NBA finalist as his hardest-working teammate
Patrick Beverley has shared the court with plenty of stars during his 12-year NBA career. The former Milwaukee Bucks point guard, who is now a member of Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv, has had the chance to play with superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George, Anthony Davis and DeMar DeRozan.
As great as these players are, Beverley doesn't consider them the hardest-working teammate he's ever had. While speaking with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller on The OGs show, the veteran guard named LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard as the hardest worker he's ever played with.
Leonard's work in the weight room and on the court put him over 10-time NBA finalist LeBron James, who Beverley played with on the Lakers in 2022-23.
"Kawhi [Leonard]! Hardest-working motherf****r I've seen in my life!" Beverley initially replied.
"When I say hard-working, in the weight room, it's LeBron [James]. On the court, it's Kawhi. Together, weight room and court, Kawhi! I ain't seen nobody like him," he added.
Beverley then went on to explain that this constant work is a key factor in Kawhi Leonard's health struggles.
"That's why he be hurt. That's what people don't understand. [I was like], 'K, man, you gotta relax.' And he was like, 'Nah.'"
Pat recalled one time during the COVID-19 season, Kawhi Leonard hit the gym and was there for three hours straight, working on multiple spots to shoot mid-ranges, fake shots and 3-pointers.
Kawhi Leonard has never been open about his personal life or what he does in the gym to get better season after season. Patrick Beverley said he put his vacation on standby to go link up with Leonard and was shocked to see what the forward was doing.
Unfortunately for Clippers Nation, Leonard's hard work hasn't translated into the Clips winning their first NBA championship in franchise history and they're still trying to get close to the Finals.
Patrick Beverley is taking on a new challenge at Israeli league
After making his way to the NBA following a couple of years in Europe, Patrick Beverley stayed in the association for 12 seasons. He had two long-term stints with the Houston Rockets and LA Clippers, spending four years with each franchise.
After his last adventure in the league with the Milwaukee Bucks, Beverley is seemingly closing the NBA chapter of his career and going overseas to join Hapoel Tel Aviv. He reportedly turned down minimum veteran deals in the NBA to sign with the Israeli team.
In 666 games in the NBA, Patrick Beverley posted 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.