Perpetuating the drama and mystery around one of the summer's best NBA tabloid storylines, Russell Westbrook says he and former Oklahoma City Thunder running mate Kevin Durant still haven't breached the fortress of silence that sprung up the minute Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors.
At a Nike event two weeks ago, Durant said that he and Westbrook were "still cool," and would "have fun against each other" this season.
So naturally Westbrook was asked at Friday's Thunder media day whether he and Durant are indeed "cool." He neither confirmed nor denied.
"I haven't talked to him," Westbrook said, according to ESPN's Royce Young.
Well then.
It's worth noting that Westbrook has been adamant he and Durant will mend fences in time.
"We've been together eight years. You don't throw that away," he said back in August. "We definitely will talk eventually."
For now, though, this will only stir speculation about the state of their relationship. It's also further proof of each man's differing perspective on said relationship. While Durant has shrugged off rumors of a rift and insisted all is fine, Westbrook has taken veiled potshots and reportedly deleted Durant's farewell text message without proffering a response.
If nothing else, the two will be unable to avoid some form of communication when the Thunder and Warriors meet for the first of four times Nov. 3.