Lakers commit to making Russell Westbrook-Patrick Beverley combo work

September 7, 2022 World Sports

They were the biggest questions as soon as the Lakers acquired Patrick Beverley — will Russell Westbrook still be a Laker? If he is, can he coexist with Beverley, his on-court nemesis?

As Beverley officially was introduced as a member of the Lakers during a Tuesday news conference, Westbrook was the only other player in the room. As sweat poured down the face of Beverley, fresh from an on-court workout, it was Westbrook tossing him a towel.

“First dime of the year,” Beverley joked.

How the two are used on the court — and whether it even materializes — is up in the air. With training camp three weeks away and Westbrook trade rumors aplenty, plans probably should be being written in pencil.

Yet, Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he’s excited about the path forward with Beverley and Westbrook as part of a backcourt that includes Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker IV and Kendrick Nunn.

Westbrook and Beverley, who have an on-court rivalry that dates to the 2013 playoffs, could be starters.

“If they play defense,” Ham said when asked about the possibility. “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 that’s still a long way off.

“But, I’m not scared of that. It’s definitely a bullet in the chamber.”

Beverley said he’s long wanted to play with Westbrook despite their on-court battles, which included a lot of trash talking as recently as a Lakers game last spring in Minnesota.

“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. “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. I am just excited to be able to compete with someone like that.”