Patrick Beverley deflects credit for Chicago Bulls' late-season success - "I was able to put my little swag on certain situations. But this team was already kind of put together."

Chicago Bulls guard Patrick Beverley refused to take much of the credit for the team's late-season turnaround that puts them in a great position to earn a spot in the Play-in tournament. Recognizing the Bulls' top-tier defense, Beverley says he just contributed a little more to it to make it even more formidable.

"This was a really good defensive team before I got here. Obviously, I was able to put my little swag on certain situations. But this team was already kind of put together," Beverley said.

Fierce mindset

Beverley has made a 10-year career out of being a defensive pest. With tough-to-match ferocity and passion, the 34-year-old guard has been playing high-stakes basketball his entire career, making the Playoffs in eight of his 10 seasons in the Association. He says he's just bringing the same winning mentality to the Bulls.

"The addition with me, my mindset, my preparation for games, helps the young guys and the team. You add that to what they already have and it's a pretty solid team," said Beverley.

"I'm all about the right things. I don't cheat the game. I don't put anything before basketball," Beverley added. "I don't prioritize anything before basketball, as crazy as that sounds. A lot of people prioritize family. Fortunately, my family has given me a lot of confidence and a lot of room to keep basketball first. With that kind of attitude, things always end up going well for me."

Speaks about Lakers' tenure

Prior to signing with the Bulls after he got bought out by the Orlando Magic, Beverley played 45 games for the Los Angeles Lakers before getting shipped out at the trade deadline. When asked why his impact in Chicago is so different from what he had in Los Angeles, Beverley replied it was just a matter of different personnel.

"Obviously, you've got guys who have the ball in their hands a ton. LeBron James. Russell Westbrook. Anthony Davis. Dennis Schroder. (Austin) Reaves. My role was kind of a 3-and-D guy. And I feel like I've always been more than that in my career," Beverley said.

"And I'm able to do the same things here but with the ball in my hands. I got a good coach, a good system, an easy system. I'm just out there playing basketball, having fun, getting lost in the game. It's been real joyful," Pat Bev concluded.

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