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The fact that Russell Westbrook is still a member of the Los Angeles Lakers is nothing short of a minor miracle.
The former NBA MVP joined the Lakers via trade last offseason and struggles in his first season in purple and gold. He averaged just 18.5 points per game, his lowest total since the 2009-10 season, and he was largely invisible on defense.
That led to endless speculation that he would either be traded in the offseason or cut by the Lakers. Even Westbrook seemed to see the writing on the wall as he put his multi-million dollar LA mansion up for sale.
That writing only got more and more clear when the Lakers traded for Westbrook’s sworn nemesis, Patrick Beverley. Beverley and Westbrook have beef dating back several seasons. But the two have since appeared to put that behind them. Beverley seemed to squash the beef last month when he said he was excited to play with Westbrook. And the two have since said they enjoy working out and practicing with one another.
But Russ’ body language in the Lakers’ last preseason games seems to indicate otherwise.
Russell Westbrook Shuts Down Pat Bev’s Attempt To Organize Huddle
The Lakers haven’t had the best go of things in the NBA preseason. They were 1-3 heading into Wednesday’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Westbrook averaged 8.5 points per game in the two games he’s played in.
LA trailed the T-Wolves 67-62 early in the third quarter of Wednesday night’s game. And Beverly tried to get the Lakers on the same page defensively. Westbrook, however, wasn’t having it.
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
Basketball fans took this as an early sign of tension between the two rivals turned friends.
https://twitter.com/Freeatlast516/status/1580547866271289346?s=20&t=GgZKWmJ1C7dDw00pBYc3rg
Yeah… this is a problem https://t.co/dLO9Tj4hhc
— YoungNBAAnalyst (@youngnbaanalyst) October 13, 2022
I can’t wait for this to backfire again https://t.co/TN0eDs999y
— David Wade (@DavidMWade3) October 13, 2022
The Lakers have tried trading Westbrook to no avial. While reports claim that he would not accept a contract buyout. So first-year coach Darvin Ham is going to have to figure out how to make this all work.
Good luck.