In a different era of NBA history, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder. While it may seem like an eternity ago now, the run they had together is becoming a major talking point in light of the upcoming playoff matchup between KD’s Suns and Westbrook’s LA Clippers.
It’s no secret that KD and Russ did not depart on the best of terms, but Russ himself recently denied there was any beef between him and Kevin Durant.
“It’ll be normal for me. I think people still think there’s some beef or something,” said Russ. “There’s no beef. I got nothing but respect for him and the things he’s done with his career. Happy to see him back from injury.”
Russell Westbrook on facing Kevin Durant:
"It'll be normal for me. I think people still think there's some beef or something. There's no beef. I got not hing but respect for him and things he's done with his career. Happy to see him back from injury."
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 12, 2023
Russ also explained how Durant’s game has evolved over the years from their run together in OKC.
“He’s always been very efficient, but his ability to be even more efficient and still score the ball at a high rate. Probably one of the best scorers I’ve seen, can score the ball at a high rate.”
Russell Westbrook on where he's seen Kevin Durant grow:
"He's always been very efficient, but his ability to be even more efficient and still score the ball at a high rate. Probably one of the best scorers I've seen, can score the ball at a high rate."
pic.twitter.com/KleOBKrwyR
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 12, 2023
It’s easy to pit two former teammates against each other when they meet in the postseason, but this “rivalry” may not be as strong as fans think. Durant has never been one to hold a grudge, and he’ll be too busy worried about Kawhi Leonard to make Westbrook the focal point of his attack.
Can The Clippers Advance Past The First Round?
Fully healthy, the Clippers could give the Suns real problems in this series, but the absence of Paul George tips the balance in favor of Phoenix. As underdogs, the Clippers will have to find a way to win despite being short-handed, and Russ could be the key to staying alive.
“I thought it was a good gamble to take, to be honest with you. They are what they both needed at this time, if that makes sense. Russ needed somebody that was going to hug him,” Chauncey Billups said on Westbrook.
Only time will tell if the Clippers can pull off an upset here, but it will be interesting to see how Russ and Durant engage each other as the series goes on.
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