Kevin Durant publicly congratulated Russell Westbrook on winning NBA MVP despite the reportedly rocky relationship that exists between the two.
Durant told ESPN’s Cari Champion that he congratulated Westbrook because not doing so would be to disrespect the game:
“The game of basketball has been so great to me, I can’t disrespect it because of a bunch of nobodies trying to make me and somebody beef over basketball. The game is too important and too sacred for me to disrespect it that way.”
Durant’s original message to Westbrook (posted on his personal YouTube channel) follows:
Huge congrats to Russell Westbrook on MVP, that boy went out there and was a created player on 2k all year, (expletive) balled out. Gotta respect it!
At the same time and on the same medium, Durant congratulated former teammate James Harden on his phenomenal season:
Shoutout my boy James Harden. For 5 years now he’s taken his game to the next level, he will be an MVP one day, he’s an MVP now, he’s made so many people proud. I know this first hand, recognize what he has done for the game!
Durant also congratulated Rockets guard Eric Gordon, who won Sixth Man of the Year:
Also, congrats to Eric Gordon! Changed the course of his career with his stellar play this season. His 3 point shooting was a joy to watch!
As well as teammate Draymond Green on his Defensive Player of the Year win; Green finally won the award after placing second to Kawhi Leonard (who got third this year) the previous two seasons:
Shoutout Draymond. Congrats champ. Congrats Defensive player of the year. #RunItup
Durant also congratulated both award-winners of the Milwaukee Bucks, Malcolm Brogdon for Rookie of the Year and Giannis Antetokounmpo for Most Improved Player:
So happy for Malcolm Brogdon, what a year and accomplishment. Especially as a second round pick! Anything is possible people, I see a very bright future for him and his teammate Giannis. Congrats on MIP, this dude is a specimen that we’ve never seen before and it’s guaranteed that he will be an MVP one day! In fact, I called out this years MVP years ago so you gotta respect my knowledge for the game lol.
Durant added in a message refuting the idea that the NBA had a bad year:
WHAT A YEAR, DONT DISRESPECT THESE PLAYERS OR THIS BEAUTIFUL GAME BY SAYING THIS YEAR WAS A DOWN YEAR FOR THE NBA. THE WHOLE LEAGUE SHOWED OUT AND PUSHED THE LEAGUE TO A BETTER PLACE!! IM SO GRATEFUL TO BE APART OF IT!!
CANT WAIT TO SEE WHATS IN STORE NEXT SEASON.
