Russ, Harden's heated exchange was about Bucks' trash talk

While stylistic concerns remain a topic of discussion for the new-look Houston Rockets, the emphatic sideline conversation between James Harden and Russell Westbrook in Thursday's season opener had nothing to do with Xs and Os.

Rather, the Milwaukee Bucks had been "talking shit" at Harden, who was simply asking his once-again-teammate not to engage in the trash talk, Westbrook told The Athletic's Sam Amick.

The pair of former MVPs were spotted having an intense back-and-forth with a fair amount of gesturing and finger-pointing during a stoppage in play in the first quarter:

Westbrook downplayed the discussion postgame, telling the media to not "dive too much into it."

"Like I told you," Westbrook said, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, "there's nothing that nobody around the world, media, anybody that can get in between what we have because we've had it for so long."

The Rockets were ultimately unable to solve the Bucks, suffering their third straight defeat against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. dating back to last season.

Westbrook and the Rockets will aim for their first win together when the New Orleans Pelicans visit Houston on Saturday night.