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"Hell no!" - Patrick Beverley sparks outrage by shutting down Damian Lillard’s Hall of Fame case
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- "Hell no!" - Patrick Beverley sparks outrage by shutting down Damian Lillard’s Hall of Fame case
Patrick Beverley and Damian Lillard have had a complex relationship through the years. Being the super scorer that he is, Dame has had to face off against Pat Bev, who, during his glory years in the NBA, was known as an elite pest, agitator and defender. Ironically, the two became teammates for one season, setting their grievances aside while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024.
And while Pat Bev is no longer playing in the Association (he's now suiting up for PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece), he still keeps tabs on the NBA, and when asked if he thought Lillard has earned a spot in the Hall of Fame, he responded with a deafening "Hell no!"
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Beverley thinks too many players are getting into the HOF
Apart from winning an NBA championship or the MVP trophy, one honor that hoopers dream of is being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, placing them alongside legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant , Jerry West, and Allen Iverson, just to name a few.
However, if you ask Beverley whether he believes Lillard deserves a spot on that list, he explains that he doesn't think the high-scoring guard has done enough outside of putting the ball in the basket to merit induction into the Hall of Fame.
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"I love Dame. I love Dame. I promise you I love Dame. There's no ill will, no beef with Dame at all. But like Hall of Fame… First off, I feel like it's too many people getting Hall of Fame, you feel me? Like I feel like it's too many people getting Hall of Fame, right? Let me start off with that," Beverley said on his podcast.
Last year, the Hall of Fame welcomed nine new members, a list headlined by Carmelo Anthony , Dwight Howard , Sue Bird and the Redeem Team. The 2024 and 2023 classes saw 13 and 12 new members, respectively, as well, underscoring Beverley's sentiments.
"Second off, like Hall of Fame has to be like a combination of like obviously points, rebounds, assists. It has to be a combination of like wins. It has to be a combination of playoff appearances, and it has to be a combination of championships," Pat Bev continued.
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To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a player must be retired for three seasons and have amassed significant individual accolades, such as All-Star berths, All-NBA citations, and MVP awards.
Dame doesn't pass in Pat's book
Dame has been one of the finest players of this era. A 6'2" guard who was drafted sixth in the 2012 draft, he has exemplified consistency, grit, and scoring excellence throughout his 13-year career. Apart from his knack for getting buckets, his potency in crunchtime stands out, with "Dame Time" proving to be a nightmare for opponents night in and out.
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Apparently, all that isn't enough for Pat Bev.
"How we going to say no to D-Rose and say yes to Dame Lillard, you know what I'm saying? Like if he get a chip, for sure, right? If he get a chip, for sure. But like scoring a lot of points on like — you feel — okay teams, you feel me? I don't think that gets you into Hall of Fame," he asserted.
"I don't think he's Hall of Fame. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. I don't think he's Hall of Fame yet," Pat Bev stressed.
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Fortunately, Beverley isn't on the Hall of Fame's screening or honors committee. When Lillard decides to hang his Adidas sneakers up for good, he's a cinch to make it to the Hall of Fame. With 22,598 points, nine All-Star appearances, seven All-NBA citations and countless unforgettable moments in league history, he has more than earned his place among the sport's most revered figures.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
