Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook, two NBA players who were once fierce rivals, have recently formed an unlikely friendship that has defied the odds. Despite years of feuding on opposite teams, the duo has now developed a strong bond after getting to know each other.
Beverley, known for his outspoken nature, recently praised Westbrook’s incredible skills on Gilbert Arenas’ show, Gil’s Arena. He expressed his disbelief that fans still give Westbrook the derogatory nickname Westbrick, despite his impressive accomplishments on the court.
According to Beverley, Westbrook broke the record for triple-doubles off the bench in just half a season, a remarkable feat that has gone largely unnoticed. Additionally, Beverley claimed that Westbrook shot over 40% from three-point range, questioning why fans would label him as Westbrick. However, the actual statistics show that Westbrook shot 29.6% from downtown with the LA Lakers, and although he improved to 35.6% with the LA Clippers, he did not reach the 40% mark.
The friendship between Beverley and Westbrook is noteworthy due to their turbulent history. It all began in the 2013 playoffs when Westbrook suffered a season-ending knee injury during Beverley’s attempt to steal the ball. Since then, every encounter between the two players has been marked by intense energy and mutual dislike.
In 2019, Westbrook publicly criticized Beverley, stating that he lacked the ability to effectively guard anyone on the court. Beverley, however, defended himself, revealing that the incident had significantly impacted his career.
Their animosity continued until reports surfaced about the Lakers’ trade that brought Beverley to the team. At that time, Westbrook had just completed his first season with the Lakers. Since then, the two players have forged a strong bond and have spoken highly of each other.
This unexpected friendship between Beverley and Westbrook serves as a reminder that rivals can evolve into friends. Despite their past conflicts, they have found common ground and respect for each other. The NBA community continues to witness the power of reconciliation and the potential for even the fiercest enemies to become allies on and off the court.
