Patrick Beverley recently shared that he now understands how LeBron James feels, thanks to the overwhelming attention he has received since joining Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel. Beverley, who left the NBA this offseason to play in Europe, described the experience as transformative.
The 36-year-old point guard noted that unlike his previous stint in Europe, this time he was welcomed like a superstar. Beverley called Tel Aviv “paradise” and described it as the best place he has ever played basketball.
Beverley compared his newfound popularity to that of NBA legend LeBron James. He said, “I know how LeBron feels, I leave games and the guys that I play against want pictures and the coaches that I play against want pictures.”
The attention has not only come from fans but also from opponents and coaches. Beverley recalled, “The fans that I go against that boo me, I leave out and it’s 30 kids outside and they all want pictures.”
The level of appreciation has surprised Beverley, especially during routine games. He shared, “Today was a friendly game in Belgrade and I think I took 50 pictures today. Friendly game, not a huge EuroCup game.”
Beverley expressed how much this attention means to him. He noted that even coaches from opposing teams have asked for photos. “To have kids, other players, and other coaches from competing teams be like ‘Yo Pat, I’m sorry bro, I need this f*cking pic,’ it’s been a vibe,” Beverley said.
This overwhelming reception has given Beverley a new perspective on fame. He emphasized, “I know how LeBron feels now. Seriously.” Beverley’s experiences in Europe have offered him a unique understanding of what it means to be a global basketball icon.
