The Los Angeles Lakers are the most storied franchise in the league with 18 banners on their rafters. Due to that exact reason, their fan base often has high expectations for the players. And things can get ugly when the results don’t come in. Russell Westbrook had to face that immense scrutiny after he was acquired by the Lakers in hopes of winning a championship. However, his time there was a horrid nightmare for both the player and the team.

He averaged far from his MVP year and was a subject of constant fan hate and ridicule, which came to a head in 2023, and as a result, he was traded. Now another one of the Lakers’ departures, Patrick Beverley, didn’t hold back in criticizing the Lakers during a podcast with Adam Ferrone. “When I left they blamed me, they blamed [Russell Westbrook], We on some of the best teams in the NBA,” said Beverly.

He further explained, saying, “I ain’t gonna lie Lakers Fans base a motherfu**er. They want you to score 30 every night, and the day you score 27, ‘Trade him he’s a bum.’ Yeah Lakers fan base tough, not only with me though, you see through my teammates. Obviously, Russ(Russell Westbrook) I see through DLo. But it comes with the legacy they have also.” 

Beverly concludes by appreciating fans in Philly who respect their players and are fully confident of their abilities, even if the roster isn’t a hundred percent. His final remark was another knock on the Lakers as he said, “Some cities will turn on your a**.” Beverly’s choice of Russell is timely because the guard is not at his best and is constantly finding himself in trade rumors. 

On the other hand, Beverly’s time with the Lakers was pretty short, and he was not able to impact the team. But with Russell Westbrook, the situation was very different and a lot uglier.

Russell Westbrook on being traded from the Lakers

In an exclusive interview with ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, LA Clippers’ guard Russell Westbrook discussed his trade from the Los Angeles Lakers during last year’s deadline. “I was so ready to play [for a new team] based on the situation I was in and how it ended,” Westbrook said. The veteran joined the Lakers in 2021 and played two seasons with them. His joining LA was seen with doubts by many owing to his playing style clashing with that of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Still, the team persevered but did not bring in the results. They lost their playoff berth and Frank Vogel was fired as a result. The next season, Russ was demoted to a sixth-man role and still failed to leave an impact on the scoreboard. All of this, coupled with the fan’s strong opinions, pushed him to leave the team in early 2023. He joined the city rivals, the LA Clippers, and has been shining alongside Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Paul George.

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Embracing this role, Westbrook not only enhances his already impressive on-court performance but also contributes significantly off the bench. With a genuine opportunity to secure his first NBA championship, Westbrook plays a crucial role for the Clippers, bringing both joy and value to the team. This stands in stark contrast to his time with the Lakers, as Westbrook is now much happier, and his positive impact is benefiting the Clippers.

Do you agree with Pat Bev? Are the fans too harsh? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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