Former Los Angeles Lakers player bashes his misuse by team's head coach

Former Los Angeles Lakers player Patrick Beverley took a shot at head coach Darvin Ham when explaining why his current run with the Chicago Bulls has been much better than the tenure with his previous team during the first half of the season.

When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for 10-year veteran Patrick Beverley in August, there was a notable amount of excitement. Part of the reason was because of the team’s lack of salary cap flexibility and worthwhile trade assets. However, there was also hope that he could bring the needed heart and defensive grit he brought to previous stops with the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Unfortunately, in 45 games with LA, under new head coach Darvin Ham, Beverley never seemed to be the fit they were hoping for when they acquired him. That’s why it was not surprising when the 34-year-old was sent off in one of several trades the Lakers made to reimagine their 2022-2023 roster for the final months of the season.

Los Angeles Lakers record (’22-’23): 37-38

After a contract buyout from the Orlando Magic, Patrick Beverley hit NBA free agency and chose to go home and join the Chicago Bulls in a push to make the playoffs this season. In just 15 games, Beverley seems pleased with how he and his unique skills have been used by Chicago head coach Billy Donovan. And in complimenting his new coach after their win over the Lakers on Sunday, he took a shot at the one he used to have with Los Angeles.

“Yeah. If I’m a spoon, Billy [Donovan] is using me as a spoon. The Lakers, you know, I was a spoon and they used me as a fork.”
– Patrick Beverley (via Greg Beachum)

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Both teams have seemed to benefit on both sides of this Patrick Beverley equation. The Los Angeles Lakers have played much better since the NBA trade deadline and are finally in the playoff picture after being out of it all season long. While the Chicago Bulls recently won seven of 10 and are also back in the playoff picture after slumping for the last couple of months.