UCLA Basketball: NBA Veteran Believes Former Bruins Star Was Misused By Lakers

Interesting takes here!

Russell Westbrook has been able to play through so many narratives and labels that have been placed on him throughout his career and he now continues a new chapter with the Los Angeles Clippers for the next two seasons.

When we look back to just before he was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook was always the same player at heart. He was the bouncy point guard for the UCLA Bruins that always played at 110 percent and would run through a wall for so many of his teammates.

However, that charisma and energy he plays with has also led to fans criticizing him as his career has gone on. The former MVP has been slandered for playing out of control at times and not being willing to take a smaller role for the better of his team.

Westbrook has seemed to find a great fit with the Clippers and he was able to show out in the first round of the 2023 playoffs with them. Before that was a different story though, as he was making upwards of $40 million with the city-rival Lakers and his production and fit was questioned almost every game. 

One player that shared the court with Russ for half a season on the Lakers before they both got traded was defensive-specialist Patrick Beverley. Despite the two having an alarming history, they quickly became friends and in a recent episode of 'Gil's Arena', Beverley defended Westbrook and instead pointed out that he believes the Lakers were misusing him.

"All the beef about Russ, maybe none of that happens," said Beverley. "It's ways that you have to operate your team without over-managing it, or over-coaching it. Sometimes you just have to put the dominoes out there."

(Via Gil's Arena)

Hopefully Westbrook continues to shine on the Clippers and the darker days with the Lakers get left behind!