Beverley Unfiltered: Former Laker Throws Shade on ‘Broken System’ Inside LA… Read more…
If there’s one thing NBA fans know about Patrick Beverley, it’s that he never holds back. The veteran guard, known for his on-court intensity and off-court bluntness, stirred up fresh drama this week after unloading on the Los Angeles Lakers’ organization during an episode of his podcast, The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone. The former Laker didn’t mince words, calling out what he described as a “broken system” behind the scenes in LA, questioning everything from leadership to culture to accountability.
Beverley’s comments have since gone viral, igniting debates across sports networks and social media platforms. And while some dismissed his remarks as sour grapes, others saw his criticisms as a sobering look into a franchise once celebrated for its excellence but now clouded by dysfunction.
The Rant Heard Around the League
Patrick Beverley spent part of the 2022–23 season with the Lakers before being traded at the deadline. Though his tenure was brief, he made it clear that the issues he observed during that time ran deep.
“It wasn’t basketball, bro. It was politics. Too many voices, too many agendas,” Beverley said on his podcast. “You got front office people stepping into coaching lanes, you got players not held accountable, and no real structure. The Lakers, man, it felt like a brand — not a team.”
The statement immediately caught fire. Within hours, clips were circulating on X (formerly Twitter), and NBA talking heads from ESPN to FS1 were dissecting his remarks. What stung most for Lakers fans wasn’t just the blunt delivery — it was that some of what he said echoed concerns already whispered for months by insiders.
Calling Out Culture and Communication
Beverley zeroed in on the lack of cohesion between the front office, coaching staff, and players — a dynamic that multiple former Lakers have criticized in the past. According to Beverley, the Lakers’ internal decision-making is chaotic, with too many cooks in the kitchen and not enough accountability.
“I’ve been on teams where we weren’t the most talented, but we had culture. In LA, it’s like… the jerseys are louder than the leadership.”
He also described how younger players were often left confused about their roles, while veterans received inconsistent messaging from the coaching staff. “One day it’s run-and-gun, next day it’s slow-it-down. Who’s setting the tone? No one,” Beverley added.
His comments raise questions about Darvin Ham’s control over the locker room, Rob Pelinka’s influence on day-to-day decisions, and whether the Lakers have sacrificed structure in pursuit of star power and commercial success.
Reactions from Around the NBA
The response to Beverley’s comments was mixed. Some NBA players and analysts came to his defense, praising him for speaking the truth. Others accused him of venting frustration after failing to make an impact in LA.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins backed Beverley’s assessment during a segment on ESPN’s NBA Today:
“People don’t want to hear it because it’s coming from Pat Bev, but let’s be real — the Lakers have been messy for years now. They get bailed out by LeBron’s greatness, but behind the scenes? It’s chaos.”
In contrast, Lakers legend Magic Johnson responded subtly on social media, posting:
“No team is perfect. But leadership starts at the top — and the Lakers know how to win when we’re locked in.”
Meanwhile, fans were divided. Some criticized Beverley for airing dirty laundry, while others appreciated the honesty.
Beverley vs. the Lakers: A History of Tension
Beverley’s stint with the Lakers was controversial from the start. He was brought in to bolster perimeter defense and toughness, but his offensive limitations and fiery demeanor made him a poor fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
He clashed at times with coaching decisions and was ultimately traded to the Chicago Bulls midway through the season. Though he left on relatively peaceful terms, insiders say Beverley never felt fully valued within the Lakers’ system — something his recent comments seem to confirm.
“They didn’t let me be me,” Beverley said on the podcast. “I was trying to bring edge, structure, and they just wanted vibes.”
Lakers’ Silent Response
As of now, the Lakers organization has not officially responded to Beverley’s comments. Head coach Darvin Ham, when asked during a pregame presser, brushed off the remarks by saying, “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. We’re focused on what’s ahead, not what’s behind.”
Sources within the front office, however, have privately expressed frustration, believing Beverley is trying to build his brand at the expense of the franchise. One executive told The Ringer, “It’s ironic to hear about accountability from a guy who didn’t exactly light it up for us.”
Yet, silence can be telling — and the absence of a strong rebuttal has only fueled the fire.
Beverley Isn’t Alone
While Beverley’s comments were the loudest, he’s far from the only former Laker to criticize the team’s inner workings. Players like Montrezl Harrell, Andre Drummond, and Dennis Schröder have also spoken indirectly about the instability within the Lakers organization during their brief stints.
The pattern suggests a deeper issue: a team structure that leans too heavily on star appeal and not enough on team culture.
Can the Lakers Fix Their Internal Disconnect?
If Beverley’s words did one thing, it’s that they brought renewed focus on the Lakers’ organizational identity crisis. The team remains one of the most popular in the world, but behind the glitz and glamour lies a real question:
What is the Lakers’ basketball philosophy — and who is truly in charge?
Until those questions are answered with clarity and accountability, criticisms like Beverley’s won’t go away — they’ll only get louder.
Final Thoughts: Blunt, Brutal, But Honest?
Patrick Beverley’s scorched-earth critique may have stung, but it also peeled back the curtain on a franchise too often protected by its legacy. The Lakers may wear gold, but cracks in the foundation are now impossible to ignore.
Love him or hate him, Beverley said what many were thinking — and for a team chasing titles, that reality check might be exactly what they need.
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