Clearly, tensions inside the NBA bubble were at an all-time high over the last two days.
Just about everyone was caught off guard by the Milwaukee Bucks choosing to protest by refusing to play in their game against the Orlando Magic. And when NBA players met, tempers flared. They almost decided to end the season, Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes reports.
Of course, before they decided to end the season, the players needed to know what the financial ramifications would be. So naturally, they’d call on NBAPA executive director Michele Roberts to explain them. And that’s what she did.
According to Haynes’ report, She began giving the players numbers and explaining what could happen if they leave the league’s Orlando bubble. But that’s when things got heated.
While she was going through her explanation on potential losses, Clippers guard Patrick Beverley reportedly interrupted her and wouldn’t let her finish her point. Instead, he told her “I pay your salary.”
While she was going over the numbers, Clippers guard Patrick Beverley abruptly interrupted her, saying he disagreed with her logic, sources said. Roberts kindly reiterated that these were potential losses the players would suffer, and Beverley interrupted again.
Roberts asked politely if she could continue with her point, and Beverley responded, “No, I pay your salary,” sources said.
It doesn’t get more disrespectful than that. The other players in the room weren’t having that, though. According to Yahoo, they jumped in and told Beverley that “would not be tolerated.”
Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks confirmed that Beverley and Roberts did “have a moment” in the meeting, but they’ve moved on.
Spoke to some players who say that Pat Bev and Michele Roberts did have a ‘moment’ – but they spoke to each other yesterday morning and it has been completely resolved.
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) August 28, 2020
Still, the internet is letting Beverley have it. People are demanding he apologize to Roberts.
patrick beverley needs to apologize. i hope he already has.
— Fat Jxmmi (@jaminburdett) August 28, 2020
Oh so this how we talking to Black women in leadership, Pat Bev? Black women who are ON YOUR SIDE FIGHTING FOR YOU!?
Miss me with this. pic.twitter.com/SXFbb5FoFW
— Adena Jones (@adena_andrews) August 28, 2020
Michelle Roberts whenever she sees Patrick Beverley pic.twitter.com/xfkidR8RWg
— Jack Offerman (@HennyGawdIsBack) August 28, 2020
NBA players to Patrick Beverley after he disrespected Michele Roberts. pic.twitter.com/9bmnixRdoF
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) August 28, 2020
Patrick Beverley needs to apologize.
— GoldenKnightⒸ (@GoldenKnightGFX) August 28, 2020
Glad to see that Chris Paul and Udonis Haslem (among others) responded firmly to Patrick Beverley’s really egregious behavior. pic.twitter.com/HWc3vwBSJe
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) August 28, 2020
Wow I'm shocked that Patrick Beverley is also disrespectful off the floor.
— UnwrittenRules (@UnwrittenRul3s) August 28, 2020
This is not a good look for Beverley at all, but at least the issue seems to be resolved between he and Roberts. Hopefully, it won’t happen again.