Westbrook on friendship with Harden: Spalding is my only friend on court

There are multiple people in Russell Westbrook's life whom he considers his pals.

But when he hits the hardwood, he has only one.

"When I get on the floor, I've got one friend, and that's the basketball," he told reporters Sunday at shootaround.

The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard is set to square off against his buddy and former teammate James Harden in the opening round of the playoffs.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Westbrook made it perfectly clear he won't be chummy with the Houston Rockets point guard during the series, which tips off Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.

Related: 3 storylines to watch in Rockets-Thunder besides Harden vs. Westbrook

This mentality isn't new.

"I've been like that since I was a little kid," the 28-year-old superstar continued. "My dad told me that when I was younger, 'Once you get on the floor, you got one friend. Your friend is Spalding.'

"At the time maybe it was Wilson, or maybe it was some other shit. Whatever the ball is, that's who my friend is."

Westbrook doesn't play when it comes to his friend, either. Before every home game the MVP contender has the game ball delivered to the locker room, where he inspects it - a process that includes dribbling, holding, and even sniffing the basketball - before passing it to each of his teammates, according to ESPN's Baxter Holmes.

Russ seems like a great friend. Unless, of course, you cross him.