Longtime heated rivals Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook could share the Lakers backcourt at occasions.
New Lakers coach Darvin Ham mentioned he’s keen to pair them together, however with one caveat.
“If they play defense,” Ham informed ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk and different 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 convention for Beverley, who was acquired from the Jazz late final month, included a twist: It was attended by Westbrook, who even threw a towel to Beverley as he wiped away sweat after a exercise.
Their rivalry goes again to the 2013 playoffs, when Beverley dove for a steal and Westbrook suffered a meniscus tear. They have been speaking trash to one another as just lately as final season however now seem keen 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 mentioned 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 might be free brokers subsequent summer time — Westbrook has an expiring $47M deal, whereas Beverley is making $13M throughout the upcoming season.
Beverley mentioned he’s not going to alter the tradition of a group, however he desires to play a task in its turnaround after it did not make the playoffs final season.
“You can see all the banners, but you know, it’s what have you done for me lately?” he mentioned. “And lately, haven’t been a good team.”
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