THE LIGHTS WERE off and lasers were beaming in all different directions. The public address announcer's voice boomed over the speakers at Staples Center as the LA Clippers' starting lineup was introduced for the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.
"At one guard, 6-1, in his eighth year, from the city of Chicago ... No. 21, Patrick Beverley!"
Beverley tapped his chest and pointed skyward. The Clippers guard does this before every game.
He waited for each Clipper announced, meeting them with personalized greetings: a fadeaway jumper with Landry Shamet, a hook shot with Ivica Zubac.