Kevin Durant delivers heartfelt message towards Russell Westbrook, left ‘inspired’

In the second half of their careers, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant had their differences, but have never lost their respect for one another.

On Thursday morning, Durant revealed what it was like playing beside Westbrook for eight seasons (2008-2016), as he was left “inspired.”

Durant shared a story on X detailing his time as teammates with Westbrook, where he asked former Oklahoma City Coach, Maurice “Mo” Cheeks what’s harder: “workout after practice or before??”

Durant asked the question because he would always find Westbrook finishing up his workouts in the morning.

“Mo like, ‘Coming in before practice is probably harder,” Durant wrote. “Since then, it’s been my routine… a lot of people looked at the emotions on the court, and though Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical.”

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as teammates with the OKC Thunder. AP

Durant went on to write that Westbrook would always lead by example, leaving everything out there, while experiencing true freedom.

“I seen it inspire people from all walks of life, crazy thing is, he didn’t say much, just showed up.” Durant wrote. “For 18 years. This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent, and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent.”

When Westbrook and Durant were teammates in Oklahoma City, the two were on the brink of becoming one of the greatest duos in basketball, as they made the Western Conference Finals five times, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2012 with James Harden.

The trio of Westbrook, Durant, and Harden ultimately ended up losing in the 2012 NBA Finals to the LeBron James-led Miami Heat. Harden would leave the two behind after he was traded to the Rockets.

Durant became the league’s MVP in 2014, and would go to the Western Conference Finals with Westbrook two more times in 2013 and 2017, when they were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors.

Durant reached free agency that offseason and would end up signing with the Warriors.

Kevin Durant as a member of the Houston Rockets. Robert Sabo for NY Post

This sparked a rivalry on the court that would last between the two, while the Warriors would become the team to become the league’s juggernaut.

Durant and the Warriors would go on to win two NBA titles [2017, 2018], where he was crowned Finals MVP in both series, while Westbrook would win MVP in 2017.

In his post, Durant hinted at wishing he had handled his departure from Oklahoma City by saying, “Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent, and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent.”

Durant ended the post by reminiscing about their time together as teammates and went on to send his love to Westbrook and his family and congratulate him on an “Iconic career.”

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