Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley had an interesting interaction with an ESPN producer following his team’s Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
In the Bucks locker room, Beverley was surrounded by reporters asking him questions. In the middle of the commonplace media scrum, Beverley cut one reporter off and singled another one out.
“You subscribed to my pod?” Beverley asked the woman.
The woman responded to him that she did not, in fact, subscribe to his podcast.
“You can’t interview me then,” he replied.
The producer stayed where she was, not asking questions, but still recording Beverley’s responses. As a response to that, Beverley asked her to “get that mic out my face” despite the fact that there were several microphones surrounding him.
Now, pundits within the NBA world have come out in criticism of Beverley for his postgame behavior.
Veteran producer Malinda Adams happens to be one of the most respected and professional people we have at ESPN. Bev, you’re going to have to make a couple apologies for stuff tonight. https://t.co/KdQ0VuGoyg
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) May 3, 2024
this is unfortunatley nothing new beverley has refused to talk to any of us in milwaukee who do not subscribe to his podcast since he arrived at the trade deadline https://t.co/SXbJUpd3iE
— jack maloney (@jackmaloneycbs) May 3, 2024
Na bro…….
Love Bev's toughness and grit, this is wrong.
Can't strong arm people to sub to your Pod!!! https://t.co/vW92Eh7v2a
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) May 3, 2024
First the disrespect to Michele Roberts in the NBA Bubble in front of other NBA players and now this… He is who he is. Respect to stellar veteran producer Malinda Adams for her professionalism through that silliness. https://t.co/MLkHm2wfTQ
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 3, 2024
For everyone seeing this. It’s not cool or respectful at all. There needs to be a huge apology. https://t.co/oFb5iKTVMj
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) May 3, 2024
Come on @patbev21 you’re more playa than this my guy! This ain’t it G https://t.co/EbdV7pqGRJ
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 3, 2024
Clown behavior. https://t.co/xJXxNDpxND
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) May 3, 2024
One thing we DO NOT tolerate is clown behavior … especially when directed at one of the best producers sports journalism — and ESPN — has ever seen. Gtfoh.
Shouldn’t have been pulling that weak shit with local media either. https://t.co/4ADBdVsKwe
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) May 3, 2024
He is saying this to a producer who has helped so many of us at ESPN and beyond. He’s rude and disrespectful but that’s just how he acts. What the hell has Patrick Beverly ever done to have this inflated ego and how does this help the Bucks organization? Subscribe to a jump shot. https://t.co/Ns9VzggIs6
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) May 3, 2024
Clearly, a lot of folks have taken issue with the way Beverley treated the ESPN employee. After all, sports stars and members of the media tend to follow a set of rules when it comes to how the two parties interact. While players understandably may not be in the mood to talk after losing a game that puts an end to their season, as was the case with Beverley on Thursday night, those rules dictate that he still should speak to members of the press with respect.
Shockingly, this was not even the worst thing Beverley did on Thursday night in the eyes of many. Prior to the end of the game, Beverley interacted with a fan in a really aggressive way.
PatBev just chucked the ball at a fan at the end of the game. pic.twitter.com/UKrliCZUF7
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) May 3, 2024
Beverley certainly had a lot of energy on the bench and in his team’s locker room following the game. His team arguably could have benefited from that energy during the game.
In his team’s win-or-go-home affair on Thursday night, Beverley posted pedestrian numbers of just six points, five assists and two rebounds in 40 minutes of playing time.
His season is over. The Pacers, however, have advanced to the second round of the playoffs to face off against the piping hot New York Knicks, who closed out their series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night as well.
