CrunchTime (DR) / NBA (DR)
Always very observed, Russell Westbrook made the buzz during the preseason with a rather dubious behavior towards his teammates. Not one to do in the language of wood, Patrick Beverley spoke cash on this situation and on his feelings.
Russell Westbrook knows, he will be scrutinized more than any other player this season. Lakers fans no longer want him, Darvin Ham is considering converting him to a bench player, so inevitably, the slightest deviation could lead to comments and criticisms about him. He was able to realize this during the preseason following a sequence that was nevertheless innocuous…
Russ with no interest in joining Pat Bev’s defensive huddle after fouling his man on that end of the floor
(h/t @JacobRude)pic.twitter.com/OrjfhvtZhK
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) October 13, 2022
Patrick Beverley defends Russell Westbrook!
In the face of controversy, the leader had to explain himself and remember that his behavior was not a sign of a disagreement with his teammates, he simply wanted to talk to his coach on the bench in order to make adjustments. In the latest episode of his podcast, Patrick Beverley returned to this situation and gave his version of the facts.
When I was in our little gathering, I felt like Russ was with us. He was talking to the referee and the coach… And the thing is, we weren’t even talking about the action that had just taken place. After the match I received lots of messages asking me why he behaved like that with me… I didn’t understand what everyone was talking about, they must have sent me the action in question.
Honestly I found all the reactions rather funny and I told him on the plane that it was crazy how he was attacked no matter what he did. I’m sorry he has to go through this so regularly. Another sequence shot, he was alone during the warm-up, but he does this all the time. They all try to kill him. It does not bother him, for the moment he is mentally strong.
Patrick Beverley quickly understood what life was like for Russell Westbrook at the Lakers: every gesture is likely to cause controversy on social networks, even those he has done since his arrival in the league. He knows the consequences that these attacks can have on a player’s mind, he will undoubtedly do everything in his power to help him manage this unique situation.
Proof that the business of gathering on the ground is trivial, the Lakers had not even noticed l’absence of the leader on the sequence. Russell Westbrook will have to manage the controversies until the end of the season, his teammates will be there to support him.
