The Los Angeles Lakers made a surprising move this off-season. After missing the 2021-2022 NBA playoffs. The storied franchise decided to bring in the hard-nosed veteran Patrick Beverley. Beverley is known for being a pesty guard who loves to get under players’ skin. An agitator, to say the least. The signing may seem like a head-scratcher. If you are unfamiliar with the latest beef in the NBA, here is what you should know.
The Los Angeles Laker guard, Russell Westbrook, and Patrick Beverley have a long history of beef over the years. Ironically the two are now teammates for the Lakers. Is this the right move for the Lakers? Several people have highlighted how dangerous a move this could be.
It did not take social media long to react to Westbrook and Beverley becoming teammates. Fans took to Twitter to make fun of the situation.
oh god that’s mess💀 — 🖤𝔽𝟛𝕒ℝ𝕎𝕣𝕃𝔻🗡🐍x👑 (@F3aR_WrLD) August 25, 2022
Can this dynamic of Westbrook and Beverley coexist? Even though there has been bad blood between the two that dates back a decade?
Here is a quick rundown of Westbrook and Beverley beef
April 2013: The beef started in a playoff match-up between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets. Westbrook a member of the Thunder, is dribbling the ball towards his bench to call a timeout. Beverley, being the feisty player that he is sneakingly tries to steal the ball from Westbrook before he calls the timeout. The two clash with each other. Westbrook clutches his knee and grimaces in pain. He does however finish the game. Later Westbrook would find out through an MRI that he tore the meniscus in his right knee. It would require surgery, therefore, ending Westbrook’s season.
March 2014: A year later after Westbrook recovered from his injury. He and Beverley face off again. Similar to their first encounter in 2013. Westbrook is dribbling towards his bench to call a timeout. Beverley, again is the feisty player that he is. He similarly approaches Westbrook. Only this time Beverley aggressively swipes at the ball. Westbrook becomes furious and has to be calmed down by his teammates. Beverley would later receive a technical foul.
October 2018: The feud continues. But this time Beverley is a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. In one sequence Westbrook has Beverley on an Island. He faces up Beverley and uses his athleticism to get to the rim and finish with a layup. After the layup, Westbrook proceeds and taunts Beverley with the “rock the baby” gesture, as he runs back on defense. When asked about the celebration after the game Westbrook’s response is hysterical. “You’ve got little babies, put them to sleep,” Westbrook said. “You’ve got little kids on you. That’s what happens. Little guards, you gotta to rock ’em.”
A humiliating moment for Westbrook
March 2022: The most recent run in between the two. Westbrook is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Beverley is a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was an embarrassing moment for Westbrook. It was towards the end of the game, a game which was dominated by the Timberwolves. Westbrook receives a pass from Lebron James for a wide-open corner three. Westbrook air-balls the shot badly! And to make matters worse. Both Beverley and teammate Karl-Anthony Towns mock Westbrook’s blown attempt. Beverly ducks and covers his head as if an object might hit him. Towns pretend to wear binoculars and look at the rim.
has to be one of the more disrespectful moments ive seen in a long time, watch Pat Bev and KAT after Westbrook’s airball. pic.twitter.com/PnMU3nVd8T — Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 17, 2022
Can Westbrook and Beverley set aside their issues?
Westbrook and Beverley may never be friends. But the two have been in contact since finding out the will be teammates. Maybe they are setting aside their differences once and for all. Will they be able to coexist as teammates for the Los Angeles Lakers? Only time will tell how this scenario plays out.