The notion that Kevin Durant and teammate Russell Westbrook can't co-exist on the hardwood for the Oklahoma City Thunder because there isn't enough ball to go around isn't lost on the former league MVP.
There are even some observers who doubt the two can be civil behind the scenes, with a potential ego clash perhaps preventing the All-Star pair from being friends off the court. Durant, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, has heard all the rumors and read all of the reports about his relationship with the 27-year-old point guard.
In an interview with the Oklahoman's Anthony Slater, Durant set the record straight on his friendship with Westbrook, and how the idea that they couldn't possibly like each other is completely unwarranted:
How can you tell? That’s my whole question. What are you basing that off of? Because he shoots more than I do one game? That don’t make no sense. We don’t like each other because he shot more? That don’t make no sense. And it’s really disrespectful to me or to us because you think I’m that selfish of a person. I don’t like this guy because he shoots more than me? That’s disrespectful to me. Because if I’m a friend, I’m genuine. I’m there. No matter what. Good days, bad days, more shots. I’m a real friend. If I like somebody, I like them. I may not agree with everything they do on the court. That’s a part of it. But don’t say we both changing as men when your questions are changing. Don’t come to me and ask what’s going on with Russell and expect me to be alright with it.
Durant did acknowledge that there are times when the two butt heads, but still made clear that the bond he and Westbrook have is strong enough for them to endure any overly heated exchanges.
"There's times we cuss each other out, but that's a part of being brothers," Durant said. "Because I know if I need something, he'll be there and if I need to talk to someone outside of basketball, he'll be there. It's a real brotherhood type relationship. We're like family."
Durant and Westbrook are two of the league's most dynamic and productive scorers. Each of them are averaging over 28 points and 19 shot attempts per game to begin the new campaign, although Westbrook has led the Thunder in field-goal attempts in three of the last four seasons (including this year). With Durant already owning four NBA scoring titles at just 27 years of age, it's easy to question why anyone other than him on the Thunder should be taking the most shots.
Durant will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, with several teams possessing the finances - plus a growing salary cap - to offer him big bucks on the open market, and potentially lure him away from the Thunder. If the six-time All-Star does decides to pack up his bags and leave, Oklahoma City fans can perhaps take solace in the fact that Westbrook, and a conjured up, non-existent grudge, likely won't play a part in Durant's thought process.