KD says he 'loves' Westbrook but media is trying to tear them apart
In his own words, Kevin Durant isn't about that "basketball beef."
Gallons of ink have been spilled as to the supposedly crumbling relationship between Durant and former Oklahoma City Thunder running mate Russell Westbrook.
This melodrama immediately became the most popular soap show of the 2016-17 season - it's the story of how two brothers became enemies.
That's how the narrative is being told, but Durant resists that that characterization. He insisted during an illuminating interview with Anthony Slater of the San Jose Mercury News that he doesn't feel any animus towards Westbrook.
"We were brothers. We are brothers," Durant began. " ... We’re going through a tough time right now in our relationship. But we’re brothers at the end of the day. When I say that, where I come from, I mean it."
The supposed split between the two superstars ties back to outside forces, says Durant. Those in the media are trying to drive a wedge between the two.
"All that stuff I hear is lies. All that stuff that I’m taking shots at the Thunder or Russell. It’s just there to try to separate us. They did it when we were playing together. They tried to separate us. So obviously they’re going to do it even more now."
"C’mon. I don’t have nothing against Russell. As I shouldn’t. And I don’t think he have nothing against me. I don’t think he’s taking shots at me. I don’t think he’s doing anything that everyone is putting out there."
"It’s for your entertainment, your pleasure, your joy. I see it all the time. They want us to beef because of the game on Thursday. They want more suspense and excitement when they turn the TV on at 7:30 or 10:30 or wherever you are. That’s what they want. But I’m not letting that get between us. "
Durant did add that he could have handled his exit better. He only left Westbrook a text following his decision to relocate to Golden State. But he plans to deal with that behind closed doors.
As for the decision to leave, Durant says people are wrong to conflate a career choice with his feelings on Westbrook as a person.
"I love Russ. I love his family. They all know that. I never did anything morally wrong. I never back-stabbed him in real life, never did anything behind his back, never told anyone anything about his character. Never did any of that. I just left teams. I just switched teams. Everyone on the outside is looking at it as, ‘Oh, you must not have liked him.’ Hell no. C’mon man. Nobody understand that part."