Patrick Beverley says Russell Westbrook is his best friend on Lakers

Kyle Goon: Patrick Beverley says he and Russell Westbrook have been working out together in the morning for the last few weeks, and if he had to pick a “best friend” on the team it would be Russ. He says in order for the Lakers to succeed, they have …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
The biggest issue Patrick Beverley had with the Lakers last season was their will factor, especially on defense. He doesn’t believe that will be the case this season now that he’s on the team. pic.twitter.com/cPFkdNhNvO3:37 PM

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Patrick Beverley on how he mended his relationship with Russell Westbrook. 😂 pic.twitter.com/tR6nwyb5II3:33 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Patrick Beverley insists there was never actual animosity with Russell Westbrook over the years pic.twitter.com/KOEsqcsV4t3:32 PM

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Patrick Beverley said Russell Westbrook is his best friend on the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/pIQXagBK7j3:32 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Patrick Beverley said that Russell Westbrook gave Beverley’s sister tickets for courtside seats in Houston to watch him play Beverley and that was a turning point in their relationship a few years ago. – 3:30 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
When Patrick Beverley was asked about his relationship with Russell Westbrook, he joked they went on a boat ride and there were 200 candles and Michelin-starred chefs. – 3:29 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Pat Bev says he’s a “blue collar” guy on defense and is not afraid to guard any position or star in the league. “My percentages say I lock everybody up.” – 3:27 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Austin Rivers on if he can help fill the Patrick Beverley role in Minnesota:
“I’m different than Pat in a lot of ways, obviously. We are different people… But the message we are delivering is of the same cloth.” – 3:27 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
After their competitive battles, Patrick Beverley now considers Russell Westbrook as his best friend on the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/Ec5R0ruklz3:26 PM

Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Pat Bev says he and Russ have been working out together in the morning for the last few weeks, and if he had to pick a “best friend” on the team it would be Russ. He says in order for the Lakers to succeed, they have to become friends. – 3:25 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Patrick Beverley says that Russell Westbrook has been his best friend with the Lakers over the past 4 weeks. – 3:23 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Patrick Beverley on his role: “My role is the same. My role doesn’t change no matter what team I’m on. Impact winning.” – 3:22 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Pat Beverley up on the stand: “I think the San Diego trip was a good start, we kinda got the chance to go up and down a little bit. I think everybody here has a chip (on their shoulder) and rightfully so.”
Adds, descriptively: “San Diego was a vibe.” – 3:21 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Patrick Beverley: “I think the San Diego trip was a good start. … I think everyone here has a chip. … San Diego was a vibe.” – 3:21 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Russell Westbrook at Lakers’ Media Day pic.twitter.com/GzgR2ukHHf3:14 PM

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
After LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook the fourth player to address the press at Lakers Media Day: pic.twitter.com/ashoG43JJo3:06 PM

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Russell Westbrook is all smiles at Lakers Media Day. pic.twitter.com/GaEfzpSZv53:02 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Russell Westbrook on if he feels wanted by the Lakers pic.twitter.com/tN1OoKYocO2:59 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Westbrook characterized offseason conversations with LeBron and AD:
“Very beneficial. Being able to talk about and understand things we want to do, and how we want to do them.”
Also said convos/building a relationship with Darvin Ham has been “extremely important to me.” – 2:58 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Russell Westbrook asked about possibly having to compete for a starter’s spot pic.twitter.com/Vj0pq2mL642:58 PM

Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Russell Westbrook asked by @Bill Plaschke if he believes the Lakers want him: “Whether they want me here or not doesn’t really matter.”
Says he’ll focus on being professional and working. “We all have jobs, and some people at our jobs don’t like us or don’t want us there.” – 2:58 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
“Whether they want me here or not really doesn’t matter, my job is to show up and be professional… to do the best job I know how.” Russell Westbrook on if Lakers want him in wake of trade rumors. – 2:57 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Russell Westbrook says it’s been “very beneficial” to talk to AD and LeBron this offseason, and he’s looking forward to the things they’ll be able to do together. – 2:54 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Russell Westbrook on trying to have a bounce-back season pic.twitter.com/QC0eyGqkro2:54 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Russell Westbrook is now speaking with the media pic.twitter.com/DiwHCSL9dT2:52 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Anthony Davis on Russell Westbrook expressing skepticism last season on AD and LeBron really meant it when they told him to “be Russ.” pic.twitter.com/3RFeTL8Yp22:52 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Anthony Davis says he told Russ to be himself last season before games (in reference to Euss’ exit interview comments that he wasn’t able to be himself). Davis said he and Westbrook talked things out this summer about what worked and didn’t.
“I’m interested to see what happens.” – 2:52 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
AD says he tells Russell Westbrook to be himself before every game. “We’re selfless, we’re ‘here, here, here.'” – 2:50 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
LeBron on Russell Westbrook: “It’s going to be a great year for him.”
LeBron added that he thinks Russ can succeed in LA and he’s excited to start training camp with Russ tomorrow. – 2:46 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
LeBron James absolutely believes Russell Westbrook can have a successful season with the Lakers. Listen closely and you can hear the reaction from Lakers fans. 😂 pic.twitter.com/6kFHnvNYOA2:46 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James give Russell Westbrook a vote of confidence with his fit pic.twitter.com/1LHyttTd6V2:42 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Rob Pelinka on if Russell Westbrook will be with the Lakers through the whole season pic.twitter.com/SOkHnizMuD2:32 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Darvin Ham on how he’ll decide who starts in the backcourt, including Westbrook: “Guys that who are going out there to get stops. He’s told me personally he’s going to commit to that side of the ball. That’s what camp is for. We’ll see.” – 2:30 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Cory Joseph said he sees flashes of Westbrook in Jaden Ivey. – 2:21 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Darvin Ham on if Russell Westbrook is the definitive starter this season? Ham say it’s early but said “we have a lot of options.” pic.twitter.com/qX4RW4gZLv2:21 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Darvin Ham said plan is to have a “one in” offense, to always have a threat near the rim then spacing around them “to make it hard to double.” Anthony Davis on the left block is one offensive focus, plus LeBron at the elbow and more Westbrook post ups. – 2:20 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
If LAL’s wing depth isn’t as prominent as its guard depth, Rob Pelinka said Patrick Beverley (who can guard up positions) and Dennis Schroder can mitigate some of that with their aggression and activity. Also cited Juan Toscano-Anderson’s toughness as fitting Darvin Ham’s style. – 2:15 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
When Rob Pelinka was asked how committed they are to Russell Westbrook, Pelinka said “for any player on our team, you always have to be reevaluating our roster.” But Pelinka expressed confidence in how Westbrook will play this season – 2:14 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Pushed by @Bill Plaschke if he can commit to Russell Westbrook’s future on the team, Pelinka said he will be looking at the roster and opportunities to upgrade. But adds Westbrook is one of the great players in the game, and Ham will bring “another level” out of him this year. – 2:13 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
“We’re a ways away,” Ham says when asked about who starts in the backcourt, specifically regarding Westbrook. Lots of options. No commitment to having him start. BK – 2:11 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said it’s too early to break down the depth chart. But when I asked if Russell Westbrook is the definitive starter this season, Ham said “we have a lot of options.” – 2:10 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Darvin Ham would not to commit to Westbrook as a starter, emphasizes that players who play defense and play hard will get the minutes. “That’s what camp is for… we’ll see.” – 2:08 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Darvin Ham said he has not determined a starting lineup yet when asked about Russell Westbrook starting or coming off the bench. – 2:07 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Ham on Westbrook: “He’s been awesome. Everything that I’ve asked of him he’s done (throughout the summer). Everything has been about being selfless, being team-oriented, defense.”
Role has yet to be determined (starter vs. off bench). “We have several options.” – 2:07 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Darvin Ham when asked if Russell Westbrook will start: “We’re a ways away. We’ve got several options.” – 2:06 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Darvin Ham on if Russell Westbrook is a definitive starter: “We’re a ways away. We have several options.” – 2:06 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Rob Pelinka on Russell Westbrook: “He has reflected that all offseason — that he’s all in.” – 2:06 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Rob Pelinka said he and Jeanie Buss, Darvin Ham and others have met with Russell Westbrook several times this offseason and they believe he is indeed “all in” this season. – 2:06 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
“Russ has been great all offseason… Russ is an extremely competitive player and person… and he has reflected that all offseason that he’s all-in to win,” Rob Pelinka on Westbrook relationship. – 2:06 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Patrick Beverley told ESPN that Russell Westbrook has been his “best friend” on the team since being traded to the Lakers this summer. Says they both come in to train before 7 a.m. and spend time in the gym together – 1:56 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook are officially running it back. pic.twitter.com/fnSYzAXK481:45 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Who would’ve thought LeBron, AD and Westbrook would be here together for another media day? pic.twitter.com/zoyDncRcfP1:41 PM

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Russell Westbrook at Lakers Media Day. pic.twitter.com/yNzctzmgX51:39 PM

Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Peyton Watson on Russell Westbrook
He’s one of the most intense players that this league has ever seen.
Said the conversation continues to be around the work that needs to be put in. pic.twitter.com/66ShI65XzT1:36 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Peyton Watson said he played against KD, Kyrie, PG, and his “big bro” Westbrook this summer. – 1:33 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Peyton Watson said that Russell Westbrook is his big bro and mentor. pic.twitter.com/cpayat7RWg1:33 PM

Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Monday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! We discuss our questions for Lakers Media Day today, and a Westbrook interview where he discusses feeling wanted (or not), coming home, doing what it takes to win, and more. #FirstListen @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rus…11:07 AM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Russell Westbrook on eve of Lakers training camp: ‘I’m all-in on whatever it takes for this team to win’
cbssports.com/nba/news/russe…9:49 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Westbrook says he’s ‘all-in on whatever it takes for this team to win’ nba.nbcsports.com/2022/09/26/wes…9:02 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
There are no assurances that Russell Westbrook will be a starter for these Los Angeles Lakers, nor assurances that he’ll remain this season. Nevertheless, he promises this: “I’m all-in on whatever it takes for this team to win.” Story on ESPN+: tinyurl.com/yuwzp4mc7:51 PM

More on this storyline