Kevin Durant's season goal: 'Not get cussed out by Russell Westbrook'

After the Oklahoma City Thunder saw a season of presumed championship contention derailed by a spate of injuries, they're heading into the 2015-16 season a humbled group that understands there are no guarantees.

For superstar forward Kevin Durant - who played just 27 games last year due to a foot fracture that ultimately required three separate surgeries - that means blocking out external pressure, and all the noise surrounding his impending free agency. He is focusing instead on putting one foot in front of the other.

That, and appeasing his superstar teammate.

"I haven’t even thought about (free agency) recruiting," Durant said Tuesday at Team USA training camp, according to Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated. "I'm just trying to go out there and not get cussed out by Russell Westbrook."

Westbrook carried the Thunder in Durant's absence - as well as that of Serge Ibaka - but he could carry them only so far. Despite his MVP-caliber season, Oklahoma City fell a game short of the postseason. They were 18-9 in games Durant played.

With a new coach set to take the reins for the first time in seven years, and Durant set to hit the open market next July, the lead-up to this Thunder season has been and will continue to be defined by both stakes and uncertainty. Westbrook, for his part, isn't concerned about either.

"I think we’re the best team in the NBA at this point," Westbrook said. "I think the group of guys we have, I think we have a good chance to win the NBA championship."

Durant may well feel that same sense of confidence and optimism, but having been away from basketball for several months, he's coming from a different place than his longtime running mate. Right now, he's just relishing being back on the court.

"You remember Christmas as a kid?" he said. "I feel like I'm back to myself. … I always appreciated the game, but you take it for granted just a little bit because it's a routine. I missed the routine the most."