You can be sure that as we move through this season another of these reports will come up:
That Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook don’t like each other.
For the seemingly millionth time, Durant scoffed at the idea that there is any rift between the former NBA and the fearless scorer that Russell Westbrook has become. KD did so in a fantastic Q&A with Anthony Slater of the Oklahoman, and here’s what he said about people who say he and Westbrook don’t get along.
How can you tell? That’s my whole question. What are you basing that off of? Because he shoots more than I do one game? That don’t make no sense. We don’t like each other because he shot more? That don’t make no sense. And it’s really disrespectful to me or to us because you think I’m that selfish of a person. I don’t like this guy because he shoots more than me? That’s disrespectful to me. Because if I’m a friend, I’m genuine. I’m there. No matter what. Good days, bad days, more shots. I’m a real friend. If I like somebody, I like them. I may not agree with everything they do on the court. That’s a part of it. But don’t say we both changing as men when your questions are changing. Don’t come to me and ask what’s going on with Russell and expect me to be alright with it.
Durant said he and Westbrook always had a relationship based on hard work and mutual respect — they both would show up hours before practice and work out, if not together than side-by-side. There was an understanding.
But there was also a moment when their relationship deepened, KD said.
Yeah, I remember when I had some problems with my family, (Kendrick Perkins) and him were the guys I’d call and just vent to and talk to. I say this because me and my family are great now. We’re in a good spot. But there’s times where this life is real. We make a lot of money to take care of our family, but that doesn’t mask all our problems. It may mask some, but it doesn’t take them away. I was having problems with my family and I needed someone I could relate to and Russell and Perk were there. They were guys I leaned on. They told me to just keep my head up, words of encouragement. Me and Russ had talked about that stuff, but it wasn’t as in depth. Then when I was vulnerable to him, it was like, yeah, this is someone I can lean on. It showed me a different side of him. Since then, we’ve been really tight. There’s times where we go at it. There’s times I don’t like what he’s doing out on the court, there’s times where he hates what I’m doing out on the court. There’s times where it’s Russ, you gotta control your attitude or KD, you gotta stop, you gotta speak up, whatever. There’s times we cuss each other out, but that’s a part of being brothers. Because I know if I need something, he’ll be there and if I need to talk to someone outside of basketball, he’ll be there. It’s a real brotherhood type relationship. We’re like family.
Next time you read about how Durant is going to bolt OKC because of Westbrook, think back to this article. It’s certainly possible Durant leaves the Thunder as a free agent (although I’d bet on him staying), but if it happens it will not be because of his “broth