Patrick Beverley might just be what the Chicago Bulls were missing

Chicago Bulls fans haven’t had a whole lot to cheer for this season, and not much reason to hope for the future, quite honestly.

Currently sitting in the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls looked like a team dead in the water going into this year’s All Star Break.

One simple move, though, could have changed everything.

When veteran point guard Patrick Beverley was bought out by the Orlando Magic, he chose to sign with his hometown Bulls; a dream several years in the making for Beverley. Little did the Bulls know, though, he might end up being exactly what they were missing over the last year or so.

What Patrick Beverley brings the Chicago Bulls cannot be measured

In his first game with Chicago, the Bulls routed the Brooklyn Nets, 131-87.

Beverley ended with a pretty ho-hum stat line of just eight points, five boards and four assists in 22 minutes. However, what you can’t see from the box score is what players and coaches are raving about after just one game: that talk.

Yes, Beverley has been well-known to be a talker on the court. He brings a swagger, an attitude about him that is rarely matched. He’s a “don’t back down” type of guy who loves a little trash talk. But, he’s also the ultimate teammate and communicator.

“His talk is really uplifting and inspiring and positive. There’s not negativity. If he’s getting on players at all, it’s lifting them up,” Billy Donovan said after the game.

“Even for himself from an accountability standpoint, talking about a switch he messed up, he was like, ‘Zach (LaVine), I’ll be better.’ That’s the kind of dialogue it is with him. The enthusiasm and energy comes across very positive.”

Since Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan joined forces, this Bulls team has still lacked one major aspect, and it’s precisely what Beverley brings. They have never had that alpha, vocal leadership on the court. Sure, DeRozan is an All Star and LaVine was last year as well.

But, neither one of those guys show up vocally like Beverley does, and that’s something this team needs.

If you watch the Bulls, and watch the sideline, you’ll notice not even Donovan gets animated. He’s fairly relaxed, and when he should be upset, half of the time he’s just sitting down chewing his gum. At some point, you’ve got to get a little emotional, one would think.

That emotion and communication is what Beverley brings to the table, and it is such a breath of fresh air to this roster. The Bulls haven’t had anything like this with their current group, and if Beverley keeps this up, then maybe fans will at least get to see a second-straight playoff berth.