If you were wondering why Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey looked so serious after scoring a career-high 51 points, there is a perfectly good reason.
It was objectively hilarious to have the only NBA game scheduled during the first day of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament be a lowly showdown between two of the league’s worst teams, Bey’s dominance against Orlando was no joke.
Bey, one of the more promising young sharpshooters in the league, went off against the Magic on Thursday. His career-best performance, which included an absurd ten 3-pointers, also came with a career-best quote.
After the game, the former Villanova standout was hit with an odd question.
Asked Saddiq Bey where his villain mentality comes from: Said it was from being a fan of the Joker. That's why he has the green patch in his hair.
— James Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) March 18, 2022
The Athletic’s James Edwards, who does fantastic work covering the Pistons, asked Bey where his “villain mentality” comes from. But somehow, without even missing a beat, the 6-foot-7 forward had an excellent answer prepared.
Bey said that he actually derives his villain mentality from loving The Joker.
Believe it or not, this is not news for me. When I spoke with Bey and interviewed him during the pre-draft process, he had a somewhat similar answer for me when I asked what he listened to before he played big games (via HoopsHype):
“I actually used to listen to The Joker soundtrack. It’s crazy to say but I did. He is my favorite character in the Batman universe. If you listen to it when you watch the movie, you’ll hear little things that capture the moment. That helps set the mood for how I’m going to play on the court. I can’t explain it because it’s just so personal to me.”
For the average person reading this, and learning that he also has his hair partially dyed green as a tribute to the iconic Batman role, it might be strange to learn just how much Bey likes this nefarious character.
However, if it helps him on the court, I think it’s only a good thing for both Bey and the Pistons. Basketball is a hard game and if it takes channeling Joaquin Phoenix or Heath Ledger of Jack Nicholson in order to compete at the highest level, go for it.
Bey, 22, was a top-20 pick in the 2020 NBA draft and is enjoying a solid sophomore campaign as a professional basketball player. He is averaging 16.3 points per game for the Pistons and he has started all 70 games of the season.
Only five players in the league have played a larger percentage of possible minutes for their team than Bey has logged for Detroit.
