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Report: In final meeting before free agency, Russell Westbrook asked Kevin Durant how he could change

Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant

Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant, right, celebrates in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

AP

The narrative says Russell Westbrook will do as he pleases – regardless of what Kevin Durant thinks.

When they played together, that meant Westbrook dominating the ball, even though Durant was more efficient. Since Durant left the Thunder for the Warriors, Westbrook has implied he won’t miss his fellow star and taken shot after shot after shot after shot after shot after shot at Durant’s expense.

But as they dined together before free agency, Westbrook apparently took a different tone.

Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:

Westbrook, in an effort to lobby Durant to stay in Oklahoma City, asks Durant what he could do differently.

If Westbrook wanted to change – I’m not sure how much he truly needed to – he should have before this last-ditch meeting. Actions speak louder than words, and at that point, there was nothing left for Westbrook to do but pledge to change. He left himself no opportunity to back it up.

Westbrook putting himself out there like that and Durant still leaving might factor into Westbrook’s apparent resentment for Durant now, especially considering the first leak about why Durant left Oklahoma City centered on Durant being frustrated by Westbrook. Westbrook must feel pretty exposed at this point.