Russell Westbrook on rivalry with his new teammate: 'I don't hold grudges against anybody' / News - Basketnews.com

Old rivals Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley will both play on the Lakers next season but the two players seem to not have any grudges between them.

Credit: AFP - Scanpix Credit AFP - Scanpix

After the Los Angeles Lakers signed Patrick Beverley this summer, the question of how he will co-exist on one team with his rival Russell Westbrook has arisen.

Patrick Beverley

Position:PGAge:34Height:185 cmWeight:84 kgBirth place:Chicago, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

It turns out that neither of them holds grudges against one another. Westbrook addressed the media about his relationship with Beverley after the first day of the Lakers preseason training camp on Tuesday. According to Westbrook, their conflicts were overblown.

"I'm an easygoing guy. I don't hold grudges against anybody, life is too short," said Westbrook.

"We've been blessed with too many opportunities and platforms to walk around and hold grudges. I just continue to move forward," added Westbrook.

"Obviously, when I'm on the court, I don't have any friends other than that basketball and the people that's on my team, so I compete. Other than that, off the floor, I'm just a normal guy that likes to have fun," Westbrook explained.

There have been numerous altercations and plenty of trash talk between the two players for years but the wounds seem to have healed since.

Beverley shared an unheard story and went as far as saying that Westbrook is his best friend on the team.

"I've never told anyone this story about when Russ [Westbrook] was playing with the Houston Rockets. When we played Houston he comes to me during the game and says I got your sister court side tickets," Beverley revealed.

"I'm in so much game mode that all I hear is my sister. The play calms down and I absorb what he said I look at my sister and see him on the floor. Next play I go to him and said that was real of you for doing that," Beverley finished the story.

"If I was to name a best friend on the team right now it would easily be him [Westbrook]," said Beverley.

9-time NBA All-Star Westbrook had a rocky season with the Lakers last season. The Lakers missed the playoffs winning just 33 games and losing 49 times. Westbrook has averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game.

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