Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley may have put their egos aside since they are already in contact according to Marc Stein. In addition, the new coach of the Lakers, Darvin Ham, would have announced to his players that he intended to make them play at the same time on the ground on certain sequences. After all, the two profiles are very different and therefore rather complementary. What to give birth to the most improbable love story of the year in Los Angeles?
To put things into context, it may be interesting to give a brief reminder of the stormy background between the two playmakers. It goes back to the 2013 Playoffs, when Pat Bev, excited like a chip as usual, injured Russ West in the knee by diving into his legs to recover a ball. Since then, the two have never made friends and their relationship has only gotten worse, with spikes in the press or confusion on the ground. And unlike a LeBron James with Draymond Green, the hatred was beautiful and very real, not just competitive. So much so that a few hours following the arrival of the defensive bulldog from Wolves to the Lakers, rumors were already sending Russell away from LA (even more than before). Only here, since in particular the boss of the Purple and Gold, Jeanie Buss, made her declaration to Westbrook, the certainties on a departure from this one are no longer the same. Even less with the info that Marc Stein has just revealed to us.
Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley have already been in contact since becoming Lakers teammates, league sources tell me, and new coach Darvin Ham has told them he has lineups in mind to play Russ and PatBev side-by-side.
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— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 30, 2022
Russell Westbrook and Pat Beverley have been in contact since becoming teammates, and new Lakers coach Darvin Ham has let them know he has some lineups in mind with the two players side-by-side on the court.
It must be said that in any case, a discussion between the two players was inevitable, now that they wear the same uniform, at least while they still do. Although it’s hard to imagine them hanging out at the beach with their families, sipping Virgin Mojitos and playing beach volleyball together to talk regarding their potential future together, Russell and Patrick surely have the maturity to talk regarding cohabitation and prepare for it. Especially since the two men, 33 and 34 respectively, are both looking for a ring and time is starting to work once morest them. We dare to hope for Lakers fans that they have made up their minds and will think regarding the victory and the sports project first of all.
Another positive point that might delight Lakers fans: Pat Bev and the Brodie might well be complementary on the field: While the first is a solid defender and an example in the work ethic, the second is a slasher and an excellent passer, more irregular and crazy. A more reliable long-range shooter (37.8% career vs. 30.5% for the LA native), Beverley would spread play and free up spaces for Westbrook (and LeBron of course) to attack. The circle. The presence of the former Clipper in the backcourt of the Lakers would allow them to have a defensive insurance they don’t have with Westbrook, and their dynamic duo might pose quite a few problems for opponents. In any case, coach Darvin Ham announced that he was counting play the two togetherhoping that he has real ideas behind his head.
After endless rumors regarding a potential departure from Westbrook, it might actually be that the 33-year-old point guard remains with the Lakers and is associated with Patrick Beverley on the backcourt of the Angelinos. Failing to love each other, the two men might well help LeBron and company to reach the play-in make a good campaign of Playoffs, at least. What is certain is that there will be no place for quarrels in the locker room and on the floor of the Staples Center. The Lakers owe a very good season to their fans and to the whole world, and yet another drama would be the last straw.
Source : Marc Stein
