Pat Beverley looking forward to on-court reunion with Derrick RoseIt’s a matchup the people of Chicago have been waiting to see for years.
Former high school rivals and close friends on the court again, this time as NBA players.
Rockets guard Pat Beverley and Bulls guard Derrick Rose will face each other for the first time in their NBA careers on Monday night in Chicago. It will be the first time the two have played against each other in a competitive arena since they were in opposing high schools in the Chicago area a decade ago.
“It should be fun,” Beverley said with big grin. “It’s been a long time coming.”
The two have been in the league multiple years, but their paths have yet to cross. Rose missed nearly two seasons with injuries after having made a big name for himself in the league.
Beverley took a longer road, playing overseas and in the D-League before landing a starting spot with the Rockets.
“This will be the first time we have played each other,” Beverley said. “We are still really close. We text every day. We talk a lot. But when that ball is tipped, we won’t be friends for a couple of hours.”
Beverley has missed part of this season with injury – he sat 10 games with a nagging hamstring injury but is back in the starting lineup and has brought up the overall energy of the team.
Rose, too, has missed games with a hamstring injury this season. In the past, he has sat out for significant amounts of time due to knee injuries. The two have talked about their injuries.
“We talked about our injuries, about working to come back,” Beverley said. “He has been through a lot so I am really happy to see him back out there.”
Beverley is also happy to be back. He had three stints of sitting out with the hamstring issue this year. The first two times he tried coming back too early. Last time, he took his time and came back injury free.
He is averaging 10.5 points in the last 10 games, as well as 5.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
“His defense and energy helps us get out to better starts,” guard James Harden said. “He comes out with a lot of intensity.”
He also takes on big challenges, having to guard some of the league’s top players, like Rose on Monday night.
“I love to compete,” Beverley said. “That’s what we do. We are basketball players.”
Even when it’s against one of his oldest friends in his hometown.
“It’s always special to play in Chicago and for the first time, the city gets to see me against D. Rose,” Beverley said. “I am really looking forward to it.”
jenny.creech@chron.com.
