(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season, many expected the former NBA MVP to completely turn around the team along with the dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
However, Westbrook’s stint with the Lakers was far from ideal, and he was blamed for most of the issues for the Purple and Gold during his time with the team.
So much so that head coach Darvin Ham even benched Russell Westbrook during the 2022-23 NBA season.
Speaking of which, Westbrook’s former teammate Patrick Beverley recently shared his views on the recent benching of D’Angelo Russell and how it impacted Darvin Ham via ClutchPoints on Twitter.
“I think it was very strategic what Darvin Ham did to be able to have the ability to bench a player like Russell Westbrook. Now you can bench anybody,” Beverley said.
"Lakers benched [D’Angelo Russell], and I look back on it. And I think it was very strategic what Darvin Ham did to be able to have the ability to bench a player like Russell Westbrook. Now you can bench anybody."
-Patrick Beverley
(via @PatBevPod)pic.twitter.com/fT9rktoLos
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 29, 2023
Patrick Beverley believes that following the decision to bench Russell Westbrook last season, coach Ham earned the power to demote any player to the bench this season.
He gave the example of D’Angelo Russell, who was recently demoted to the bench amidst a shooting slump.
Although the likes of D’Angelo Russell and Russell Westbrook were brought to the team to fill the starting spot at the point guard position, they have played better when demoted to the bench.
Keeping that in mind, it won’t be a surprise if Ham benches another key player at some point during the season to ensure that the team is playing well.
As of now, the Los Angeles Lakers are the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 17-15 record.
The post Patrick Beverley Reveals His Thoughts On D’Angelo Russell’s Benching appeared first on The Cold Wire.
