Former Rockets guard Pat Beverley rips Chris Paul, praises James Harden

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Pat Beverley, who played five seasons with the Rockets from 2012-13 to 2016-17, has often appeared to have a chip on his shoulder when facing Chris Paul over the years. The future Hall of Famer, of course, is who Houston acquired in the June 2017 blockbuster trade that sent Beverley to the Los Angeles Clippers.

In the 2021 Western Conference finals, Beverley earned an ejection and suspension when he shoved “CP3” in the back during the final seconds of a clinching Game 6 win for Phoenix (where Paul now plays).

But this year, the Suns won’t be returning to the NBA Finals after Sunday’s humiliating Game 7 home loss to Dallas in the second round of the playoffs. On Monday, in appearances on ESPN programming, Beverley clearly took joy in the downhall of the player he was once traded for.

Scroll on for Monday’s most memorable takes by Beverley, along with some kind words for former Houston star James Harden.

Pat Beverley on Chris Paul deserving to be benched

They benched the wrong person. They should’ve benched Chris. Once you see them attacking Chris early, and you know that might become a problem later on, you need to see how my team works without Chris in the game a little bit.

Pat Beverley on Chris Paul and officiating

I think he’s been in a fortunate situation, to be president of the (NBA Players Association) and State Farm commercials, so he’s fortunate to get certain calls in games that normal guys don’t usually get. I’ll say that.

Pat Beverley on facing Chris Paul, Steph Curry

Do I go to bed at 10 p.m. the night before playing Chris Paul? Hell no. But if I’m playing Steph Curry tomorrow, I’m going to bed at 8 o’clock and telling my girl not to call me!

Pat Beverley on Chris Paul’s defense

CP can’t guard anybody, man. Everybody in the NBA knows that. You know those cones in the summer that you dribble around? What does the cone do? Nothing. He’s a cone… It’s just that y’all don’t want to accept that. Give him the Ben Simmons slander.

Pat Beverley’s social media takes on Chris Paul

Pat Beverley on having no fear of Phoenix

Ain’t nobody afraid of anybody over there in Phoenix. Everybody in the league knows that, bro. Y’all don’t know that because you aren’t in the locker room. No one is afraid of Phoenix. We (Minnesota) wanted them.

I’ve talked to some (former) teammates… I’m not going to say who. Forget it, I’m going to say who. I talked to Paul George last night. Ain’t nobody scared of them!

Pat Beverley on Milwaukee’s Grayson Allen

Pat Beverley on Devin Booker

What has he done before? They’re going to make him the face of the league. They’re going to do that, regardless, because his face is perfect for it. But what has he done before? He’s only made the playoffs one time before! Why are we just jumping on a boat…

Pat Beverley on James Harden’s time in Houston

James Harden should’ve received MVP… maybe three times. When I played with him, he was doing things I’ve never seen a basketball player ever do.

Pat Beverley on James Harden’s next contract

Super-max (contract), or whatever the word is after super max, that’s what you give him. He’s James Harden. He’s changed the game. If you look at the all-time 3-pointers made list, I believe he’s three, and he will finish behind Steph Curry at two.

He’s a person you give the super-max to, with no hesitation. If you hesitate, he will go somewhere else. So, who else do you get in place of him?

Pat Beverley on slander and double standards

It’s okay to give CP a little slander. You guys gave Paul George the slander when they was in the bubble. You guys gave James Harden the slander.

Pat Beverley on lack of star power in Phoenix

Luka (Doncic) is a stud. He’s been a stud. We’re not surprised about that. I really don’t see any other studs besides, you know, Devin Booker on the Phoenix Suns.