PHOENIX SUNS

Patrick Beverley: Suns ‘should’ve benched Chris (Paul)’ in Game 7 vs. Mavericks

May 16, 2022, 9:47 AM | Updated: 12:06 pm

The Phoenix Suns’ journey back to the NBA Finals came to a screeching halt following a Game 7 loss in the Western Conference semifinals to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.

And while the large majority of the state is in mourning, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley is reveling in Phoenix’s demise on the national level.

Especially when it comes down to point guard Chris Paul and the benching of center Deandre Ayton.

“First off, I’m going to get a lot for this but you know I don’t really care, they benched the wrong person,” Beverley told ESPN’s Get Up on Monday. “They should’ve benched Chris. And I’m not saying bench him now, once you see them attacking Chris early and you know that might be a problem later on, you need to see how that team works without Chris in the game a little bit.

“I’ve been benched, we won though, so you don’t even remember that. As a coach you have to understand that. … That’s no fault against Monty, he’s a great coach, Coach of the Year, but (Tyronn Lue)? If T-Lue’s there, he’s making that decision. It’s a hard decision but he’s making it.”

It was another playoff game to forget for Paul, who finished with 10 points, four assists, a rebound and a steal over 31 minutes in the defeat. He posted a plus-minus of minus-39. Ayton saw just 17 minutes of action in the loss, recording five points, four rebounds and two assists.

Beverley’s comments come after the guard posted multiple tweets about Paul and the Suns, including one insinuating an injury would come to light following the game. It was later reported Paul is dealing with a left quad injury.

Then came the topic of defense, with Beverley doubling down on the Paul slander, comparing him to a stationary object.

“He can’t guard, he literally can’t guard, everyone knows that,” Beverley said. “Everybody knows that, what we call him? Cone. You know what you do with cones? In the summertime you got a cone, you make a move, what does a cone do? … He’s a cone. … Give him the Ben Simmons slander, the (Paul George) slander that you give everybody.”

Even when Beverley was throwing some kind of compliment Paul’s way, there was still plenty of shade to be had.

“CP3, is he going to be a Hall of Famer? No question about it,” Beverley added. “Do guys in the NBA go to sleep early the night before playing the Phoenix Suns (and Paul)? Hell no.

“I’m going to Steak 44 … have me a nice little wine. … Steph Curry? I’m going to bed at 8 p.m. … Mom, don’t call me. My girl, don’t call me.”

Beverley didn’t stop at Paul, either, making it known just what others around the league think about the Suns as a team.

“It ain’t about Luka (Doncic) taking their soul, they knew at the start of the game what was going to happen,” Beverley said on ESPN’s First Take. “They hear me saying, ‘He did it to me, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George. Damn sure he going to do it to them. They know that.’

“Boys are scared of Luka, ain’t nobody afraid of anybody there in Phoenix. Everybody in the league knows that. … No one’s afraid of Phoenix. We wanted them. … When you face Dallas, you’re not scared of Dallas but you got to get your game right when you play Luka.”

Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) passes against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) looks for a foul call against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell, left, tip-off to start the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives past Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) defends against Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) celebrates his three-pointer as Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (0) looks away during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson looks at the scoreboard during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3)knocks the ball loose from Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) dunks over Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul defends against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) drives past Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Cameron Payne #15 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns react during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic embraces Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, after Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic , right, embraces former Dallas Maverick Dirk Nowitzki after Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker looks towards his bench during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks players celebrate during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and players celebrate during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks fans cheer during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) drives as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) A Phoenix Suns fan watches during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates on the bench during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic smiles on the bench during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) leaves the court after Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson drives as Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) and guard Devin Booker defend during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) smiles after making a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) A Phoenix Suns fan watches during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns players watch from the bench during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, greets teammates during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks players cheer during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges greets head coach Monty Williams as he leaves the game during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, forward Jae Crowder (99) and center JaVale McGee react to a call during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) and guard Devin Booker (1) look towards their bench during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) points after a three pointer against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Dallas Mavericks fans cheer during the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. (AP Photo/Matt York) Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the first half in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals against the Dallas Mavericks at Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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