Longtime heated rivals Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook could share the Lakers backcourt at times.
New Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he’s willing to pair them together, with one caveat.
“If they play defense,” Ham told ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk and other media members. “We’ve got awhile. That’s still a ways off, but definitely. People get caught up in the starting lineups a lot, but you look at who is finishing games. Those starters, they’re out there to set that tone for the entire team throughout the game. But, I’m not scared of that. It’s definitely a bullet in the chamber. We’re looking forward to it man, those guys in the backcourt together.”
The introductory press conference for Beverley, who was acquired from the Jazz late last month, included a twist: It was attended by Westbrook, who even threw a towel to Beverley as he wiped away sweat after a workout.
Their rivalry goes back to the 2013 playoffs, when Beverley dove for a steal as Westbrook tried to call a timeout, resulting in Westbrook tearing his meniscus. They were talking trash to each other as recently as last season but now appear willing to coexist, the Los Angeles Times’ Dan Woike relays.
“A player with that competitive spirit, that fire, that will, that dog, that nastiness, that grit, to have a running mate like that, I have never had that,” Beverley said of Westbrook. “So I am super excited to see where it goes. Obviously like any relationship or any marriage, things, we are going to have tough conversations. That is what comes with winning but I am excited about those conversations, I am excited about the practices.”
Both guards will be free agents next summer — Westbrook has an expiring $47MM deal, while Beverley is making $13MM during the upcoming season.
Beverley said he’s not going to change the culture of a team but he wants to play a role in its turnaround after it failed to make the playoffs last season.
“You can see all the banners, but you know, it’s what have you done for me lately?” he said. “And lately, haven’t been a good team.”
One can shoot and defend while the other one can’t shoot and doesn’t stay locked in on defense.
I can see Pat Bev yelling at Russ like:
“YO!! PLAY DEFENSE!! STAY INFRONT OF YOUR MAN AND STOP BALL WATCHING!!!
One can put 20-20-20 triple doubles, and thebother One, well (not a knock on Beverley, it’s just that the Westbrook dissing is such a fallacy)
Westbrook has had one 20-20-20 in his entire career. It was in 2018-2019 and he shot 8-23 in that game to barely get to 20 points.
But also, last season:
Westbrook – 15.0 PER, .512 TS%, 0.030 WS/48, 0.2 VORP
PatBev – 14.8 PER, .539 TS%, .132 WS/48, 1.3 VORP
I also think the Westbrook bashing is a little overblown, but you can make a good argument that Beverly has been a more valuable player the last few seasons. A role player who knows his role and provides good defense can be pretty valuable.
It’s all about the fit and not the name or talent.
Russ is not a good fit with a team with championship aspirations because he can’t shoot, he can’t defend and he doesn’t have that winning mentality.
Exactly — the disparity is even more pronounced in the on/off numbers.
Russ was a net negative player last year on both ends (-.7 OBPM, -.9 DBPM). Whereas PB was +.6 and +2.1 respectively.
It’s fine to argue that Russ had an ill-defined role last year, but it’s also fair to ask what is the RIGHT role for RWB at this point? Because it’s not being a #1 or #2 option anymore. But if you put him in a “role” player spot he’s giving away more than he’s adding.
Whereas Beverly does what he does but he does it well.
We all know what Westbrook is capable of but he can only put up triple doubles if he is not playing with another ball dominant player. Well his stats don’t matter because he is not a good fit with the current roster construction of the Lakers.
It’s going to be hilarious…
The coach basically just said Beverley will finish more games than Westbrook…
As “if they play defence” is not aimed at Pat Bev at all…
So True
Perfect pairs for Lakers
Lakers need experiences to win championships
Both are born in 1988
Let’s trade away all future picks for experiences
All in
Surprised No article that today is the first day Utah can start trading it’s players from the Minny deal out in multi-player deals –
Give it three hours
Kinda late , I presume tomorrow
Probably next Domino to fall for somebody so pretty big news today
Their phones must be on fire currently
Ham may be the figure head but will the real coach BRON BRON play both of them. That is the real question.
It will be a zoo on the Lakers this year. But it looks like Westbrook is doing the right things to not be out of the League Next year
Cool article. Will you write another when Ham says anything again? Lunch order perhaps.
IF Westbrook actually suits up for LAL this year then …… yeah you try it out. The roster is anorexic as it is, so there are only X many combinations available to Ham.
PB plays defense and shoots 3s so he’s playable in almost any lineup really. It’s Brick that will requires the kid gloves.
Agreed, give RW the 2nd unit, with a young Damien Jones that will run with him and kinda take it game by game with his minutes. There will be some RW/AD overlap mins w/out LeBron when Russell had moments of success last year. On him then to earn the closing game minutes based on his play
Tho a Reaves/Beverely starting backcourt isn’t prototypical or necessarily ideal it can work with having LeBron center it . By most inside accounts Reaves has earned a starting spot and I agree with it’s premise to date
The Reaves + Beverley backcourt will work if Reaves is able to improve his 3 point shoot.
This Lakers team was only successful with Bron at the point. That’s how they won the title. If Russ doesn’t come off the bench they should just sit him. It works better with Bron, Davis, Beverly, Reaves and Bryant starting. Russ can run the reserves.
Russ is not willing to make sacrifices and that includes coming off the bench
Beverly was drafted by Lakers in 2009. He was the 42nd pick in 2nd rd.
He’s outlasted plenty of talented guys. That Chi grit and toughness.
Can’t believe Knicks pick today. I know they wanted Curry. But we could of had DeMar ……. 20-20
link to basketball-reference.com
Jonny Flynn ahead of Curry. As a Syracuse resident, that still boggles my mind. So overhyped.
Pat “Smoke & Mirrors” Beverly
RUSSELL WESTBROOK SUCKS RUSSELL WESTBROOK SUCKS RUSSELL WESTBROOK SUCKS RUSSELL WESTBROOK SUCKS RUSSELL WESTBROOK SUCKS RUSSELL WESTBROOK SUCKS