NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins has been highly critical of Russell Westbrook in the past. Thanks to Russ’ tendencies to turn the ball over and miss a ton of shots, Perk has joined much of the community in labeling him as a liability for the Lakers.
Yet, Big Perk is also optimistic about the potential pairing between Westbrook and Patrick Beverley, who was traded to the Purple and Gold earlier this week.
In an appearance on ‘First Take’ Friday, Perkins revealed his expectations for the backcourt duo and explained how they have the potential to dominate defensively.
“Patrick Beverley is actually going to bring out the best version of Russell Westbrook. When I look at Patrick Beverley when I look at a guy who is shooting 37% from three for his career. When I look at a guy who is Mr. 94 feet himself, that is gonna do everything, one of the few guys in the NBA that can affect the game and help a team win a game without scoring one single point at the guard position. That is Patrick Beverley, who is somewhat of who the Lakers wanted Russ to be last year. We heard Darvin Ham speaking about how when he first got the job how he wanted Russell Westbrook to be the best defensive player that he’s ever been, how he wants him to improve knowing down corner threes. So when I come with this analogy, iron sharpens iron. So when you bring Patrick Beverley over there, now all of a sudden Russell Westbrook can’t get away with the things that he got away with last year because he has Patrick Beverly who is going to push him. We know he’s going to show up to work night in and night out. They actually could play together and if Russell Westbrook has the right mindset, Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook actually could be the most dangerous defensive backcourt in the NBA.”
"Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook actually could be the most dangerous defensive backcourt in the NBA."
—@KendrickPerkins 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y1NCwUjSYG
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 26, 2022
It’s a great vision from Perk, but it’s had to imagine a guy like Westbrook (who has never really excelled on the defensive end) suddenly becoming part of one of the most dangerous defensive backcourts in basketball.
Still, if Westbrook works hard and Beverley helps bring out his best, I suppose it’s not impossible for the two to form a dominant tandem.
We will find out soon enough one way or the other…
