Steve Kerr downplayed the issues between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook during the West All-Star practice on Saturday, telling TNT’s Marv Albert and Reggie Miller that the story of the former teammates hating each other is really bigger on the outside.
Kerr wouldn’t reveal how he plans on rotating players for Sunday’s big game, or whether he’d play Durant and Westbrook together at all, but mostly sounded unconcerned about allowing the two to share the court.
“I think it’s a much bigger story on the outside than on the inside,” Kerr said. “I think on the inside, the players are all here. They’re together. I’ve got an idea of what I want to do rotation-wise and who I’m gonna play together and all that stuff, but I don’t think there’s a whole lot of friction. I think it’s just, guys are here and they’re playing, and it’s a great weekend for everybody to enjoy themselves.”
The world’s eyes have been fixated on the two former teammates since All-Star Weekend began Friday night, and social media was set ablaze when word got out that the NBA had put them at opposite sides during media availability.
While Steve Kerr wouldn’t outright say that Durant and Westbrook would play together, he did hint at reuniting the two together with one of their former teammates, James Harden. The trio of Durant, Westbrook and Harden wreaked havoc during their Oklahoma City days, and, with all three now top MVP candidates, fans are edging to see the trio share the court again.
“I think that the fact that KD and James and Russell are all here, it’d be fun to play them all together,” Kerr said. “Put them back together from their OKC days.”
Reggie Miller warned Kerr, saying that may receive an angry call from Thunder GM Sam Presti.
“That’s true. That’s true,” Kerr said. “I can’t win. No matter what I do I’m gonna face criticism.”
The 2017 All-Star Game is set to tip off from New Orleans on Sunday night. This will be the second time Steve Kerr has coached the West All-Stars, and for the East, the first time for Brad Stevens. The East leads the West with all-time victories, 37-28.
