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Patrick Beverley Says Russell Westbrook 'Damaged His Career'

Patrick Beverley opened up about his rivalry with Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook

Joey Linn

USA Today
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Few around the NBA are unfamiliar with Russell Westbrook's "Pat Bev trick ya'll" comments during the 2019-20 NBA season. The one-liner became popular with Patrick Beverley haters around the league, as those who don't appreciate what he does would frequently reference Westbrook's comments in an attempt to discredit Beverley's game. On a recent podcast episode, Beverley spoke up on the issue.

"He damaged my career. Coaching staffs, players, fans, they looked at me way different," Beverley said. He is not wrong to feel that way, because there was a distinct shift in Beverley's reputation following those comments from Russell Westbrook. While Beverley was always a polarizing player, Westbrook's comments gave his haters a new level of ammunition that has still yet to run out. As Beverley emphasized, there are still people who hang onto that narrative, despite it being undone by everything from Beverley's longevity, to his All-Defense honors and lucrative contracts.

Beverley also spoke on a Tweet he sent out right before the trade deadline, calling Russell Westbrook "The real magician" in what was a clear reference to the aforementioned "Pat Bev trick ya'll" comments. "Just a real humble Tweet. You know, forgive but not forgotten type of thing," Beverley said.

The rivalry between Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley has persisted for several years now, and it looks as if the animosity will not expire any time soon.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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