Everyone invested in NBA basketball has an opinion about Kevin Durant’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors. Current and former players and pundits alike have voiced their two cents about probably the most gargantuan move in the history of NBA free agency.
One person we all have been waiting to hear from, and would very much like to, is Russell Westbrook. We’ve watched Durant and Westbrook terrorize the league as its most fearsome duo for years, and now Westbrook is left to fend for himself as the only alpha male left in Oklahoma City. According to ESPN’s Royce Young, Westbrook is pained by Durant’s decision for more than one reason:
Those close to Westbrook say he’s both angry and hurt not only by Durant’s decision to leave but also because Durant didn’t even call to tell him personally. Westbrook wasn’t prepared to be in this position — three weeks ago, like everyone else, he thought Durant was coming back. And he had to learn the hard way he wasn’t.
This is tough stuff. Even though Westbrook and Durant were the consummate duo, even sharing famously sharing the podium together for post-game interviews with the media during the playoffs, it’s not entirely clear just how good of friends they are. Surely they had a close work relationship, and while they always seemed to revere and respect each other, they never claimed to be best friends. Still, you’d expect that Durant would give Westbrook the courtesy of a phone call about his decision. It’s possible that it was perhaps too difficult for Durant, but it’s hard not to empathize from Westbrook’s perspective. The fact that Durant went where he went is one thing, but not getting that personal notice about the move adds insult to injury.
Westbrook and Durant’s relationship won’t ever be the same.
