Raptors Assistant Coach: Kevin Durant ‘Jealous’ Of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan’s Relationship

The Kevin Durant news-cycle shows no signs of slowing down and the latest tidbit comes from former Thunder assistant coach Rex Kalamian.

Kalamian, who is now on the Raptors staff, spoke with the Toronto Star and said that while Durant was in Rio, he texted his former coach and said that he was “jealous” of the relationship Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have after being around the two at the Olympics:

“Your two guys are the best. I’m jealous of their relationship, the way they get along with each other and the way they play together. The way they enjoy each other, it’s great,” Kalamian said of that text on Monday, as the Raptors finished up their practice. Durant, all the way from the Olympics in Rio, was in awe of the friendship that Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan had on display with the U.S. men’s basketball team.

 

“I think it’s kind of what he wants,” Kalamian continued. “He wants that bond with someone . . . and I think he’s going to find that.”

Kalamian also said that the Thunder was a tight-knit group, but the James Harden trade changed the dynamic of the roster:

“Early on in OKC, we had that….

 

“We had that (bond) really with James Harden. He was a connector of everyone. He brought Westbrook, Durant and (Serge) Ibaka and they all kind of connected, they all came together,” Kalamian said.

 

“James is a big reason and when he left I think Kevin said . . . that trade was the beginning of the end for him and now there wasn’t that connection as much.

 

“Kevin and Russell, they respect the heck out of each other, no question about it. They played well together, they work well together, they communicate, but I think the connection was lost a little bit for whatever reason.”

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