If someone had told Los Angeles Lakers fans that Patrick Beverley would be their big trade acquisition of the offseason, they would have either laughed or cried. Beverley is an excellent player, and a winner, but adding Russell Westbrook’s nemesis to the roster after a torrid season seemed like a recipe for more dysfunction. However, those worries seem to have been put to rest a lot faster than expected.
Russell Westbrook’s role on the Lakers seems to be undefined at the minute, but there is a big chance that he might come off the bench. Patrick Beverley, on the other hand, is very likely to start, at least he has the confidence of a starter. But despite all this uncertainty, and their long-time rivalry with one another, it seems that Russ and Bev have decided to let bygones be bygones.
Beverley shared a wholesome story on media day about Westbrook getting courtside seats for his sister. He described the move as being ‘real’, something Westbrook has always been known for. And their friendship, which may have blossomed at that moment, seems to have only gotten better during their initial days as teammates.
Patrick Beverley Explained How He And Russell Westbrook Spend A Lot Of Time Together
The one thing that is a huge similarity between Pat and Russ is that both of them are extremely high-effort players. Hard work is in their DNA, and both have worked incredibly hard to achieve what they have in life. So it’s no surprise that Westbrook and Beverley have often spent time with each other at the training facility, getting in before anyone else arrives.
(from 1:26 minutes to 1:39 minutes):
"If I was to name a best friend, it'd easily be @russwest44." – Patrick Beverley joins @geeter3, @RealAClifton & @JamesWorthy42 for a very refreshing and knowledgeable interview.
⏯ https://t.co/T8TPlA7c8o pic.twitter.com/0PYgYTksTd
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) September 26, 2022
“If I was to name a best friend, and so far I’ve been on the team four weeks, three weeks, whatever. But if I was to name a best friend, it’d easily be him, easy, easy. We’ve worked out together, we lift weights together, we chat all the time, easy. But that’s usually how it goes, in life. That’s usually how it goes.”
The idea of Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley training together and chatting is still a tough one to digest, but it sounds like really good news for the Lakers. If these two can put aside their history and come together, it sets an excellent example for the team about priorities. And if they can both be at their best, it would be quite the backcourt for the Los Angeles Lakers as well.
