Patrick Beverley has expressed his displeasure with the fan base of the Los Angeles Lakers. The former NBA player recently criticized the team’s supporters for their harsh treatment of their own athletes. It’s a rare occurrence to hear criticism directed toward Lakers fans regarding their judgment of superstar players.
Beverley has notably stepped up to defend Russell Westbrook, whose time with the Lakers was met with significant scrutiny from fans. In a post on X, he didn’t mince his words, highlighting that when Westbrook struggled with his shooting, the backlash from fans was relentless.
“They talk so bad about their players that they actually decrease their value. So now, when a trade comes, ain’t nobody just giving you sh*t. No one’s trying to help the Los Angeles Lakers. We know you guys want this guy—he’s a second-rounder for every other team, but to the Lakers, he’s two first rounds. But when you have a fan base, a guy shoots bad, and they crush guys, they decrease their value,” said Pat Bev.
Pat Bev calls out Lakers fans for hurting their players’ value
“They talk so bad about their players that they actually decrease their value. So now, when a trade comes, ain’t nobody just giving you sh*t. No one’s trying to help the Los Angeles Lakers. We know you guys want this… pic.twitter.com/Icy2jS00u5
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 2, 2025
Having played one season with the Lakers in 2022-23, during which he appeared in 45 games and averaged 6.4 points, Beverley witnessed firsthand the intense scrutiny that players face from a passionate fanbase. He experienced a challenging period for the team, especially for Westbrook, who had difficulty integrating with stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Beverley conveyed his exasperation about how swiftly fans could turn against players, arguing that such severe criticism can dramatically affect a player’s market value when trades arise.
Patrick Beverley Is Happy For D’Angelo Russell Trade
The Lakers recently dealt D’Angelo Russell, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from both fans and NBA figures. However, the trade was largely motivated by his underwhelming performance with the franchise. In light of the trade, Beverley offered some praise for the Lakers’ acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets.
“D’lo to Nets is good for him and the team. Nets will be able to compete still. And he gets to hoop. Finney-Smith to Lakers idk about that tho,” tweeted Beverley.
dlo to Nets is good for him and the team. nets will be able to compete still. and he gets to hoop. @PatBevPod
Finney-Smith to Lakers idk about that tho
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) December 29, 2024
However, Beverley’s enthusiasm appeared to primarily focus on the positive implications for the Nets rather than the Lakers. He believes that Russell will flourish in Brooklyn, given the opportunity to escape the crowded talent roster he encountered with the Lakers. Beverley views this as a pivotal chance for Russell to revitalize his career and shine once more.
“D’lo to Nets is good for him and the team. Nets will be able to compete still. And he gets to hoop. Finney-Smith to Lakers idk about that tho,” he reiterated in a tweet.
While Beverley has some reservations about how Finney-Smith will fit with the Lakers and how he will compete with other forwards, the addition of Finney-Smith could significantly impact the team. The Lakers are aiming to bolster their defense, which has been a weak point—they currently rank 19th in the league. Incorporating Finney-Smith’s defensive talents could provide the boost they desperately need.
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