After spending a month with new teammate Patrick Beverley on the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo was full of praise for him.

The Milwaukee Bucks acquired Patrick Beverley during the trade deadline to bolster a defence that was among the poorest in the NBA until then. Giannis Antetokounmpo has praised veteran 3-and-D guard Beverley in his remarks about their current relationship.

“He’s one of those guys that you say, ‘he’s an A**hole.’ Excuse me for my language.” But you’re like, “That’s my a**hole,” when he plays for your team. You’re aware? I adore him, too. Playing with him is so much fun. He’s a strategist and a skilled player. He succeeds.

Giannis appreciates having tough teammates who may inspire him to reach new heights in his game. Beverley has a reputation for being a nemesis and a pain in the NBA, yet no matter what team he plays for, his teammates always like him.

Beverley, who plays a minimal amount of minutes for the Bucks, averages 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Since the All-Star break, the team’s defence has improved, ranking among the NBA’s top five defensive ratings. Damian Lillard, the second outstanding player on the team, is similarly inspired by Bev’s presence. The two had a bitter rivalry for a few years before to burying the hatchet as teammates in Milwaukee.

Although Beverley is well-known for his extended tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, that relationship came to an end in a trade that saw Beverley join the Timberwolves, who in 2022 made their first postseason berth in three years with Beverley on the roster.

That season, Beverley disclosed that during some light-hearted trash-talking on the court during a Bucks vs. Wolves game, Giannis attempted to lure him to Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo Giannis: “Pat, never duck smoke. Never, ever smoke a duck.”

“I said, ‘Why the f*** you ain’t playing, Greek?’” remarked Patrick Beverley.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: “Pat, I was eating spaghetti in the back, but I never ate duck smoke. Never, ever. Pat, I like you. Do you wish to be crowned champion? I enjoy you. Pat, you’ve come to Milwaukee. I enjoy having you around.”

Despite Beverley’s failure to convince Giannis to join Minnesota during that conversation, it’s encouraging that the two were able to ultimately click as teammates. After his time in Minnesota, PatBev joined the Lakers. He was traded after six months and ended up playing for his home team, the Bulls. This summer, he signed with the 76ers only to be dealt to Milwaukee, where he could have a greater chance of winning.

The Boston Celtics, who are ranked first in the conference, may face their greatest challenge from the Bucks, who are ranked second in the East.

Milwaukee has been inconsistent all season long; in fact, they fired their coach in the middle of the campaign and hired Doc Rivers in his place. After the Bucks began the Rivers era below.500, that choice appeared poor, but it is now looking better after the ship was fixed.