The biggest storyline surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers this season has been Russell Westbrook and how he will or will not fit in with his teammates this season.
The anticipation grew even thicker when Patrick Beverley, who has had a feud with Westbrook for years, was traded to the Lakers this summer.
To the surprise of many, after the trade went down, Beverley said Westbrook had become his best friend on the team.
However, on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, there was a moment in which the two didn’t seem to be on the same page.
After Westbrook fouled Jaden McDaniels while giving up a basket with 10:05 left in the third quarter, Beverley looked to huddle up his teammates before McDaniels shot the ensuing free throw. The guard motioned for Westbrook to join in, but he instead simply remained put on the free throw line.
It's the preseason and I don't read much into anything. But if I were to read too much into something………. pic.twitter.com/Hgcb91PNu5
— Jacob Rude (@JacobRude) October 13, 2022
Many on Twitter have criticized Westbrook as a result.
Lakers need to pull the plug and trade Russell Westbrook for their sake and for The Brodie’s sake.
He’s a star and needs his own team.
Lakers need less stars and more Pat Bev’s.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) October 13, 2022
Lebron is a top 2 player all time and is listening to pat bev yet Russell Westbrook won’t lmaoo pic.twitter.com/NJtbBfSsWi
— John (@iam_johnw) October 13, 2022
*Patrick Beverley calls for a huddle*
Russell Westbrook: pic.twitter.com/vq3vhAwFru
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) October 13, 2022
So all those people were pushing Lakers Pat Bev and Russell Westbrook are besties and Westbrook can't be bothered to huddle up for Bev? rofl https://t.co/9EqIRLB96N
— Joe William Bowles II🚀❤️🏈😂 (@JoeWBowles) October 13, 2022
Russell Westbrook getting on my nerves already. Bro join the huddle or get TRADED!
— IG : BJWOOTA (@BjWoota) October 13, 2022
Overall, it wasn’t one of Westbrook’s best outings. He didn’t assert himself much all night, and he finished with five points on 1-of-3 shooting, 0-of-2 from 3-point range and 3-of-6 from the free throw line, plus three rebounds, four assists and three turnovers in 25 minutes.
Was this incident a sign of brewing trouble or simply much ado about nothing?
