Durant says exchange with Westbrook ‘wasn’t real’

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook engaged in heated trash talk in last night’s between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It appeared, based on the game last night, that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook haven’t made up. Durant left Westbrook for greener pastures in summer 2016, for the mighty Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, Westbrook was left to fend for himself. Although both have fared well without each other so far (Durant, NBA champion, Westbrook, NBA MVP) in the Thunder’s 108-91 victory over the Warriors Wednesday night, it appeared time hadn’t healed all wounds for both parties.

The two engaged in heated battles on the court, with the first notable one coming in the second quarter after a foul from Warriors forward Draymond Green on Westbrook. Durant decides to join in with Green’s trash talk to Westbrook.

Perhaps the most talked about moment came in the third quarter. Westbrook knocks Durant’s dribble out of bounds, and both players emotions came to a head, with Durant mouthing NSFW words.

Possibly in a way of damage control to scrub his uncharacteristic behavior from the minds of NBA fans, Durant chalked up last night to just two players playing ball.

While Durant may say it was just ball, the usually mellow superstar’s behavior may have proved he hasn’t resolved some issues within himself. Whether the issues are from the infamous 3-1 blown lead to the Warriors in 2016, or that he regrets going to the Warriors, Durant appeared to take it personally, while Westbrook played intense as usual.

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Durant’s attitude has drastically changed since his arrival to the Bay area. The confrontation aspect has never been his M.O. So saying it’s just ball could be a smokescreen. But last night proved Durant, not Westbrook, has issues that need figuring out.