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The hype machine is working a little extra the last few days in advance of Kevin Durant’s first trip back to Oklahoma City Saturday night with his new team, the Golden State Warriors.
It’s been only natural for various media outlets to seek out Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant for their comments before Durant’s return before the nationally televised game.
Westbrook has been quoted as saying he and Durant are no longer on speaking terms, Durant told ESPN.com this week that the so-called feud has been overblown by the media.
“Early on in the season I was doing an interview with someone and I used the word ‘unselfish’ to describe my (Warriors) teammates,” Durant told ESPN.com. “Someone asked Russell if he heard what I said about being unselfish, and (the reporter) phrased the question as if I was saying the Thunder and their organization and team are selfish. Once I heard that I was like, ‘They’re trying to get in between this thing and make it bigger than what it is.’
“Obviously Russell wasn’t going to hear that interview I had about me just talking about my teammates I have now. It’s that easy for the media to twist something up and for the media to make a feud between us.”
Durant might be right, at least from his own perspective. But Westbrook has done little to quiet his supposed antipathy for his former teammate.
Of course, if the story is true and Westbrook actually didn’t find about Durant leaving for Golden State until after the announcement was made, he might have a point to go along with his bruised feelings.
The looming game Saturday at Chesapeake Energy Arena already has the attention of Durant, who is already bracing for his welcome from the fans who once idolized him.
“I know they’re going to be rowdy in there, man,” Durant said. “I’ve been a part of some of the loudest nights in that arena. So I know it’s not going to be the friendliest welcome, but, like I said, I can’t wait to see the people that I really built relationships with over my time there and, you know, I’m sure fans that I got to know throughout my time playing there, even though they might not cheer for me out loud, I’ll give ’em a wink and they know what we had deep down inside.
“I know what’s important [to Thunder fans] and their team is way more important than just one player. I’m not going in there acting like I’m going to be praised, I know how it’s going to be.”
It will be more than that. Durant likely will hear the loudest catcalls of his career directed at him on that night.
Tgriffin@express-news.net
Twitter: @TimGriffinBig12
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