The Patrick Beverley move stirred the pot for some people within the NBA. The defensive specialist landed from Utah in a big move with Los Angeles. Ever since the news was broken, many people said this was the confirmation that Russell Westbrook was on his way out of LA, but everybody has stated the opposite time and time again.
Given that they had beef before becoming teammates, a lot of people were interested in seeing how Beverley and Westbrook would get along. They categorically ended their feud and buried the hatchet after many years of being rivals.
If that wasn’t enough, Beverley revealed that Russ was his best friend on the team, and they were ready to compete and do something good in LA this season. Although some people like Robert Horry don’t buy this new friendship, others think this partnership could be beneficial for the Lakers.
Shaquille O’Neal Has Big Faith In Patrick Beverley
Another Lakers legend, Shaquille O’Neal, recently explained what he expects to see from Beverley and Westbrook as a tandem. Shaq says that Beverley pushing Westbrook will help him reach his best level again, becoming a solid player again (20:48).
“Pat Bev is gonna help Russ get back close to the level that he was at ’cause he’s gonna hold him accountable. When you shoot off the side of the backboard, someone needs to get you, ‘Look, hey man, what you doin’?’”
Speaking of their beef, Shaq said that things are different now since they are on the same team. Everybody will try to push everybody to the next level, and that can only benefit the team.
“Game beef rarely gets to personal beef. … They had their problems, they’re both competitors. Now they’re on the same team, and I know Pat Beverley is going to be a little bit more of a voice because LeBron is sort of like me. He’ll say something every now and he won’t really say anything. Pat Beverley gonna say something all the time.
“When I was playing that was Brian Shaw. That was Rick Fox, that was D Fisher. They always had something to say all the time. So, Pat Bev, I think he’s gonna help Russ get back close to the level he was at cuz he’s gonna hold him accountable. When you shoot off the side of the backboard somebody needs to give a look, ‘Hey man, what you doing?'”
The Lakers are a very complex team. They look like world champions one day and then like a play-in tournament. They still have their Big 3 and a new head coach, but fans aren’t completely sold on their chances to win it all. Shaq believes that their two best guards can work things out and lead this team to the postseason. It can all go wrong, too, and Russ gets more criticism from Lakers Nation, but we’ll have to wait and see what’s next for these two players and the rest of the team.
