Russell Westbrook loves being Kevin Durant’s sidekick

By
Dan Feldman,

By
Dan Feldman

Published February 18, 2015 12:30 PM

Memphis Grizzlies v Oklahoma City Thunder — OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder sit on the sideline before a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 11, 2015 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Russell Westbrook is the best second-best player in the NBA.

The Thunder point guard is a top-10 player, but because of Kevin Durant, Westbrook isn’t even the best player on his own team.

Would Westbrook consider following James Harden’s lead and leaving Oklahoma City for a team where he’s the clear No. 1 option?

Westbrook on The Dan Patrick show:

Not at all. I love winning. Kevin is one of the best players in the world, man, and I love the position I’m in now.

This is refreshing amount of self-awareness by Westbrook.

Of course, it helps Durant is comfortable deferring to Westbrook. When Westbrook really wants to take over games, he can. Westbrook also knows Durant appreciates him on a personal level.

This is a pairing that works, and surely, that will impact Durant’s 2016 free agent decision. That doesn’t mean Durant will re-sign with the Thunder, but it should push the needle in their direction.