The Los Angeles Lakers have bolstered their defensive unit ahead of the upcoming NBA season with the arrival of veteran point guard Patrick Beverley, who joins the team after one season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, his controversial character surfaced early.
When questioned about sharing the court with titans such as LeBron James, Anthony Davis or Russell Westbrook, Beverley launched a lapidary statement: âTheyâre gonna be playing with me (not him with them). I made the playoffs last year, they didnât. Itâs a difference,â stated Pat to Spectrum Sports Net.
In response, another master of controversy, former Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille OâNeal took advantage of Patrick Beverleyâs statement to throw a dart at those NBA players he believes are receiving a multi-million dollar salary they donât deserve.
Shaq praises Beverley and denounces NBA overpaid players
Itâs no secret that OâNeal has clear preferences about some players in the league. He has previously indicated that he was unhappy that Rudy Gobert had a multimillion-dollar contract, or that Donovan Mitchell seemed overpriced. It seems that he has resumed the attack after Patrick Beverleyâs statements upon his arrival to the Lakers.
âIâve got nothing bad to say about Pat⊠He play the game like itâs supposed to be played. Not these dudes making $200-300M and canât play at allâŠListen, you want a guy like that on the team,â he continued. âA guy like that, you donât tamper withâ, stated Shaq on NBA on TNT.
Beyond this type of actions that create controversy in a team already harassed by the pressure of their fans and the media as the Los Angeles Lakers, Patrick Beverley, at 34 years old, still has the necessary fuel to empower LeBron James and company from the defense in their attempt to conquer once again the top of the NBA.
