It was almost a decade ago in 2016 when Kevin Durant made that famous decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to join forces with the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. One of the players that were on that Thunder team, was none other than Russell Westbrook who for the longest time many people thought was a part of the reason why Durant chose to leave.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Fast forward to 2022 and Durant is now on the Phoenix Suns and now Rusell Westbrook is with the Los Angeles Clippers in what will be their first-ever playoff matchup against one another. During that time when Durant was on the Warriors, him and Russell Westbrook had some tough back-and-forths with one another during games that meant a lot more than just a regular season game.
Russell Westbrook vs Kevin Durant in a playoff series – it’s really happening 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VmqphpVaSI
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) April 8, 2023
A lot of changes have happened since those times. Durant moved on to the Brooklyn Nets after winning two championships with the Warriors and then got traded to the Suns 3 seasons after.
Westbrook left the Thunder to join the Houston Rockets with James Harden at the time and then got traded to the Wizards, and then to the Lakers, and then to the Timberwolves but would then do a buyout to join the Los Angeles Clippers.
A lot has happened since that long-ago rivalry and now the past is in the past as Westbrook talked with the media today during practice about his and Durant’s relationship.
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
Durant had a similar answer during Suns practice open to the public as he talked about Westbrook’s competitive edge during games and how’s not just with a player like him but with everyone.
"I think Russ is competitive against whoever he plays against."
Kevin Durant on facing Russell Westbrook in the playoffs. #Suns #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/lDpcdJSp1q
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 12, 2023
Suns Associate Head Coach Kevin Young Set To Interview For The Rockets Head Coach Gig
It’s clear that both players have a lot of respect for each other and know each other’s game really well. It will be cool to see the two former teammates compete on the biggest stage in the first round of the playoffs against each other starting on Sunday at the Footprint Center.
