Patrick Beverley: Beef Between Devin Booker, Paul George is Good for NBA

The NBA loves storylines, and Phoenix Suns SG Devin Booker is giving them just that.

The NBA - more so than any other league in the United States - thrives off of drama. 

Whether it be on or off the court, there's no other professional sports league that can captivate fans and keep social media humming quite like the Association, even in the dead heat of the offseason. 

Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker knows. 

Just ask about the Toronto Raptors mascot during COVID times when shooting a free throw - or being double-teamed during open gym - or his rivalries with players such as Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic or Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson. 

Booker isn't a stranger to spotlight or discussions, partly due to how high he's elevated his game and also partly due to his trash talk. 

Paul George knows both on a first-hand basis, as he and Booker have engaged in numerous conversations during play that probably didn't involve compliments. 

Part of that rivalry was again lit when George recently had Thompson on his podcast and brought up last season's spat with Booker, where Thompson was ejected in Phoenix.

After Thompson admitted he was embarrassed and showed respect to Booker, Phoenix's shooting guard returned the favor while also sending a shot back at George.

Well this helps clarify things a little on PG/Book. pic.twitter.com/WVxvtcoRGK

— Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) August 8, 2023

Things are again brewing between Booker-George, and Patrick Beverley (who is no absolute stranger to these ordeals) said the beef is ultimately good for basketball.

“Book can hoop…can do everything, and he look good doing it. He like to go left, and he look good, that sh*t look good. He doing it in Kobes. He look good. And, PG is PG but he veteran PG. Obviously, there’s gonna be some love-hate there. I like it though, it’s good for basketball,” Beverley said on his podcast (h/t Basketball Network).

“(It was just) Classic basketball talk, “Soft motherf*cker…bum a-- mo-------!”. Two All-Stars calling each other bums.”

With the Suns and Clippers hoping to fight for rights to represent the West in the NBA Finals this season, we're sure to see more fireworks when Booker-George meet again. 

And you better believe the NBA will love every second of it.