Russell Westbrook Could Have Done Much Better and/or Said Much, Much Worse in His Criticism of Patrick Beverley

Russell Westbrook comments on Pat Bev’s defense.

Here we go.pic.twitter.com/sIzw7OYi2k

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 14, 2019

Look, the truth is that I'd probably harbor the type of unwavering disdain that proves that hate can be demonstrably more blind than love if someone ever tore my meniscus making an entirely idiotic play on the ball, thus bringing my championship run to an abrupt end with a substantial limp...

Never mind the rest of their extensive, antagonistic, and...well...hilarious history with one another...

Russ and Beverley □ pic.twitter.com/MITyMfpFOu

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 26, 2017

Pat Beverly rocks the baby at Westbrook and stares him down. □ pic.twitter.com/v1yvfXli90

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) October 31, 2018

Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverly genuinely hate each other and its so fun to watch. pic.twitter.com/qysFsjIMrg

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 31, 2018

Russell Westbrook was granted a free pass to say whatever and whenever in regards to Patrick Beverley as a player the second the latter's unrelenting recklessness threatened the longevity of the former's career. Hell, if he wanted to take an unexpected shot at his personal life - sans family - during a press conference I still might call it low blow-for-low blow in the long run.

That doesn't mean he's always right, with last night's pettiness being a perfect example...

James Harden made one shot when Patrick Beverley was defending him tonight. It came in transition on a layup. Harden took 7 shots with Beverley defending him. https://t.co/GeuGaVVX6z

— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) November 14, 2019

James Harden was 0-6 with 4 turnovers while guarded by Beverly. Couldnt guard him more cause of fouls.

Harden had 16 from free throws also
Westbrook was 6 of 20 so https://t.co/vmb5okTa4f

— The Fix is in (@Groovy_Ky) November 14, 2019

....but it does mean he'll forever be justified in unconditionally crapping on the defense of  someone that is - and I presume he will take this as the compliment it is intended as - universally considered a shameless prick of a provocateur outside of his own locker room. 

​Personally, I probably would have pointed out that Patrick Beverley is the "James Harden" of offensive fouls, in - more or less - creatively using (or, more accurately, flinging) his body to manufacture them out of thin air where they might not otherwise exist...

Patrick Beverley and James Harden already going at it. pic.twitter.com/pAbEIKHtGm

— Clipper Insider (@clipperinsider) November 14, 2019

​
​Seeing as that wouldn't sit well with the person in the stall next to him, I can totally empathize with Russell Westbrook strongly implying that the Clippers' skin-breaching specialist is no more than an aimlessly hyperactive hack. 

It's not anywhere near true to say that Pat Bev just runs around in circles and has no impact at his own end of the court, but - with it being an exaggeration that likely brought a sinister smirk to his face - I figure it's pretty fair in its falseness. Especially when you consider that the source owes him a damn near limitless amount of physical or verbal swipes on a grudge card that's not running low anytime soon.