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Sunday, February 12, 2017
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Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant (35) and Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook (0) head in different directions during their first time on the court in clashing teams in November last year.AP
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OKLAHOMA – Even in the immediate aftermath of Kevin Durant’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors, Oklahomans were torn between respecting what the 2014 NBA MVP did for the state and feeling disrespected that he left it behind to join the team that ousted their Thunder in the playoffs.
In August, an Oklahoman columnist wrote, “We’ve got six months to decide that we should cheer Kevin Durant,” and now that we’re on the eve of Durant’s return to Oklahoma City as a member of the Warriors, the Thunder faithful remain conflicted about all he accomplished for their team – the four Western Conference finals appearances in six seasons – and the sadness of seeing him go.
So, the question persists: Will Thunder fans boo the man who made seven All-Star appearances in their uniform? Durant’s former running mate Russell Westbrook, now OKC’s lone star, weighed in with his thoughts after Thursday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“It’s kind of up to them. It’s up to them what they want to do,” said Westbrook. “Obviously, Kevin’s done a lot for Oklahoma City and our team when he was here, so it’s kinda up to them. It doesn’t really matter to me one way or another. It’s a basketball game, and we’ve gotta go out and compete.”
His recent statements are the nicest thing Westbrook has said publicly about his former teammate since he left, with a slew of subtle digs at Durant on social media.
But mostly there’s been silence. While Durant insisted publicly they had no “beef,” Westbrook was reportedly hurt his longtime teammate texted rather than picking up the phone to tell him he was leaving, and the lone Thunder star left made it clear more recently the two still hadn’t spoken.
From the outside looking in, it sure seems like Westbrook is feuding with Durant, even if the latter refuses to acknowledge it as anything more than “fake drama” created by the media.
“I know it’s not going to be the friendliest welcome,” Durant told ESPN ahead of his Oklahoma return. “But, like I said, I can’t wait to see the people that I really built relationships with over my time there and, you know, I’m sure fans that I got to know throughout my time playing there, even though they might not cheer for me out loud, I’ll give ’em a wink and they know what we had deep down inside.” (AP)
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