Kevin Durant’s announcement that he was leaving OKC for the Golden State Warriors came as shocking news to the entire basketball world, and Russell Westbrook had no prior knowledge of KD’s decision.
But Russ isn’t moping; he’s ready to lead the Thunder into the future.
Reporter: “Did the fact that Kevin left for Golden State make it sting any more?”
Russ: “Sting for who?” pic.twitter.com/kjiXdP8dqc
— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) August 4, 2016
Westbrook asked if he's surprised how KD's departure went down: "Some people handle things differently than others" pic.twitter.com/8e1RqYztKp
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) August 4, 2016
Westbrook says he’s ready to become the face of his franchise.
Per The Oklahoman:
Those around Westbrook say he fumed about it for a couple weeks, particularly how KD handled the exit and how little communication Durant maintained with him at the end. […] “(I found out) like y’all found out,” Westbrook said. “On the news, on the cellphones, the social media. I talked to Kevin early on in the process. But nothing after. Just a text message from him, that’s about it.”
So how surprised was Westbrook that, on the way out the door, Durant just sent him a quick text 30 minutes after the rest of the world already knew? […] “Some people handle things differently than others,” Westbrook said. “That’s the way he wanted to handle it and it’s fine. My job now is to see what’s ahead of me.”
Durant’s landing spot, of course, added an extra dagger. He didn’t bolt for a random team in the East. He went to a rival. The team Westbrook and Durant had just battled in a 7-game bloodbath a month earlier. Did that make it sting more? […] “Sting for who?” Westbrook said. “Listen, I understand free agency. I understand having the opportunity to go where we need to go. But once that happened, I told Sam (Presti): ‘What’s next?’”
