Russell Westbrook is no longer concerned about what Kevin Durant says or does anymore, according to a Bleacher Report post on Instagram.
The starting point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder responded to comments his former teammate made about the Golden State Warriors being an unselfish basketball team. Durant left the Thunder to sign with the Warriors during the 2016 NBA offseason; it is apparent that Durant is pleased with his decision to head to Oakland, Calif. Westbrook made it clear that his focus is on his own team, not Durant and the Warriors.
The five-time NBA All-Star had quite the sassy response to Durant’s comments. Westbrook’s remarks are indicative that a rift still exists between the two players; the rift started when Durant departed from Oklahoma City during free agency. Bleacher Report’s post puts the spotlight on Westbrook and his sarcasm; he had the following to say about Durant now being part of a “selfless” team:
“That’s cute. My job is to worry about what’s going on here [in Oklahoma City], and we gonna worry about all the selfish guys we got over here, apparently.”
The Durant-Westbrook relationship is “a touchy subject,” according to Durant himself. Westbrook has also stated to the media that he has not spoken to Durant since Durant left. It appears as if a former friendship has turned rocky during the offseason, which has set the tone for what should be a can’t-miss regular season.
Westbrook and the Thunder visit the Warriors at Oracle Arena on Nov. 3. This early must-see matchup will be the first meeting between Westbrook and Durant during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. The game will be nationally televised on TNT. Tip-off is at 10:30 p.m. EST.
The Thunder visit the Warriors again on Jan. 18. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN. Tip-off for this matchup is also at 10:30 p.m. EST.
The tables turn in February. Durant and the Warriors visit the Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Feb. 11. In what is the most anticipated game of the 2016-17 regular season, Durant returns to Oklahoma City for the first time since his departure. The game will be nationally televised on ABC. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. EST.
The Warriors visit the Thunder again on March 20. This is the fourth and final matchup between the two teams during regular-season play. Like the November matchup, this game will be televised on TNT. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. EST.
Durant signed a two-year, $54.3 million deal with the Warriors in July; his deal includes a player option for the second year. Westbrook signed a three-year, $85.7 million contract extension with the Thunder in August; his deal includes a player option for the third year.
The two players have now gone their separate ways. They were teammates for eight seasons. Let the next chapter begin.