Russell Westbrook on relationship with Kevin Durant: 'There’s no beef of any sort. I think that’s the narrative for media'
“It’s nothing, it’ll be normal for me,” Russell Westbrook said of facing Kevin Durant for the first time in a playoff series. “I think people still think there’s some beef or something. There’s no beef of any sort. I think that’s the narrative for media, for people to talk about. But there’s no beef that I got. Nothing but respect for him and things he’s done with his career. Happy to see him back from injury. There’s no beef at all. He knows I’m gonna compete, I know he’s gonna compete, and that’s all it is.”
Source: Tomer Azarly @ Clutch Points
Source: Tomer Azarly @ Clutch Points
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Alexis Morgan @alexismorgan
It’s so crazy watching OKC from the 2016 WCF to The Westbrook Show to blowing it up to now. It’s like we’re watching the team grow up together and I love that for us. – 12:07 AM
It’s so crazy watching OKC from the 2016 WCF to The Westbrook Show to blowing it up to now. It’s like we’re watching the team grow up together and I love that for us. – 12:07 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“There’s no beef at all, but he knows I’m going to compete and I know he’s going to compete and that’s all it is.”
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook to ‘compete’ against each other for first time in playoffs (w/videos) #Suns #ClipperNation azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:39 PM
“There’s no beef at all, but he knows I’m going to compete and I know he’s going to compete and that’s all it is.”
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook to ‘compete’ against each other for first time in playoffs (w/videos) #Suns #ClipperNation azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:39 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Yes Kevin Durant’s only played 8 games for the Suns this season but he’s at 986 in the regular season and another 155 in the playoffs so he’ll be OK: arizonasports.com/story/3519682/… – 11:13 PM
Yes Kevin Durant’s only played 8 games for the Suns this season but he’s at 986 in the regular season and another 155 in the playoffs so he’ll be OK: arizonasports.com/story/3519682/… – 11:13 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
The Jordan switch hands, the Dream shake, the Dirk one leg fade, Curry’s quick release, Harden’s step back, AI cross, the KD hesi and of course the Siakam off arm elbow… iconic pic.twitter.com/kiAW9J8ZUW – 9:21 PM
The Jordan switch hands, the Dream shake, the Dirk one leg fade, Curry’s quick release, Harden’s step back, AI cross, the KD hesi and of course the Siakam off arm elbow… iconic pic.twitter.com/kiAW9J8ZUW – 9:21 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
‘No beef’: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook set to battle for first time ever in playoffs (w/videos) #Suns #ClipperNation azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 8:07 PM
‘No beef’: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook set to battle for first time ever in playoffs (w/videos) #Suns #ClipperNation azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 8:07 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Despite reduced role next to Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton remains an X-factor for Suns playoff run – bit.ly/3KQAUkU via @PHNX_Suns pic.twitter.com/v2DL07ZZm5 – 8:02 PM
Despite reduced role next to Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton remains an X-factor for Suns playoff run – bit.ly/3KQAUkU via @PHNX_Suns pic.twitter.com/v2DL07ZZm5 – 8:02 PM
The Vertical @Balldontlie
“I probably wouldn’t sit down with Charles, to be honest.”
Doesn’t sound like KD and Chuck will be talking things out anytime soon 😂
(via @DuaneRankin)
pic.twitter.com/50eMOjEOUJ – 7:15 PM
“I probably wouldn’t sit down with Charles, to be honest.”
Doesn’t sound like KD and Chuck will be talking things out anytime soon 😂
(via @DuaneRankin)
pic.twitter.com/50eMOjEOUJ – 7:15 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Russell Westbrook will be facing Kevin Durant for the first time in a playoff series. Westbrook says both will be highly competitive but that he has nothing but respect for KD and ‘there’s no beef’ between the two former teammates espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 7:02 PM
Russell Westbrook will be facing Kevin Durant for the first time in a playoff series. Westbrook says both will be highly competitive but that he has nothing but respect for KD and ‘there’s no beef’ between the two former teammates espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 7:02 PM
Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007
Russ squashing his beefs with KD & Pat Bev this season
We really getting old out here pic.twitter.com/pP2k9Ec863 – 6:01 PM
Russ squashing his beefs with KD & Pat Bev this season
We really getting old out here pic.twitter.com/pP2k9Ec863 – 6:01 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Clippers’ Russell Westbrook on facing Suns forward Kevin Durant in the NBA playoffs: “There’s no beef. I got nothing but respect for him and things he’s done with his career.” bit.ly/43wuheX pic.twitter.com/rOREWsJSi7 – 5:49 PM
Clippers’ Russell Westbrook on facing Suns forward Kevin Durant in the NBA playoffs: “There’s no beef. I got nothing but respect for him and things he’s done with his career.” bit.ly/43wuheX pic.twitter.com/rOREWsJSi7 – 5:49 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
On Deandre Ayton’s finishing and gravity in the pick-and-roll, the limitations opponents might try to highlight in the playoffs, and what we’ve seen from DA’s role since Kevin Durant joined the Suns: https://t.co/T0Sbx42uw3 pic.twitter.com/l6BMWAzjci – 5:09 PM
On Deandre Ayton’s finishing and gravity in the pick-and-roll, the limitations opponents might try to highlight in the playoffs, and what we’ve seen from DA’s role since Kevin Durant joined the Suns: https://t.co/T0Sbx42uw3 pic.twitter.com/l6BMWAzjci – 5:09 PM
J. Kyle Mann @jkylemann
quite a time capsule clip here: oj mayo bricks a tough contested two mid shot clock, darren collison pushes in transition to westbrook, who bricks a three and (a drastically physically different) kevin love tip dunks it pic.twitter.com/Ej6klw23Ec – 4:34 PM
quite a time capsule clip here: oj mayo bricks a tough contested two mid shot clock, darren collison pushes in transition to westbrook, who bricks a three and (a drastically physically different) kevin love tip dunks it pic.twitter.com/Ej6klw23Ec – 4:34 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Russell Westbrook says it will be ‘normal’ to face Kevin Durant in Clippers-Suns series: ‘There’s no beef’
cbssports.com/nba/news/russe… – 4:26 PM
Russell Westbrook says it will be ‘normal’ to face Kevin Durant in Clippers-Suns series: ‘There’s no beef’
cbssports.com/nba/news/russe… – 4:26 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I probably wouldn’t sit down with Charles.”
A smiling Kevin Durant on Charles Barkley as he addresses their back-and-forth. #Suns pic.twitter.com/xqitH5yAa3 – 4:02 PM
“I probably wouldn’t sit down with Charles.”
A smiling Kevin Durant on Charles Barkley as he addresses their back-and-forth. #Suns pic.twitter.com/xqitH5yAa3 – 4:02 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant was asked about getting on the same page as Charles Barkley one day. He used some strategic air quotes with a grin:
“We both played ball, we both played in the NBA, we both were a ‘superstar’-caliber player, so I’m sure we can relate on a lot of things in life.” pic.twitter.com/WQbsZIZ59m – 3:56 PM
Kevin Durant was asked about getting on the same page as Charles Barkley one day. He used some strategic air quotes with a grin:
“We both played ball, we both played in the NBA, we both were a ‘superstar’-caliber player, so I’m sure we can relate on a lot of things in life.” pic.twitter.com/WQbsZIZ59m – 3:56 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I think Russ is competitive against whoever he plays against.”
Kevin Durant on facing Russell Westbrook in the playoffs. #Suns #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/lDpcdJSp1q – 3:55 PM
“I think Russ is competitive against whoever he plays against.”
Kevin Durant on facing Russell Westbrook in the playoffs. #Suns #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/lDpcdJSp1q – 3:55 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and T.J. Warren. #Suns pic.twitter.com/EjNgp7EMdg – 3:24 PM
Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and T.J. Warren. #Suns pic.twitter.com/EjNgp7EMdg – 3:24 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
T.J. Warren is also out here getting up shots with KD and Chris Paul. He missed the last couple games due to a non-COVID illness – 3:20 PM
T.J. Warren is also out here getting up shots with KD and Chris Paul. He missed the last couple games due to a non-COVID illness – 3:20 PM
The Vertical @Balldontlie
“It’ll be normal for me. I think people still think there’s some beef or something. There’s no beef.”
Russell Westbrook on facing Kevin Durant and the Suns.
(via @TomerAzarly)
pic.twitter.com/417PnBriBl – 2:11 PM
“It’ll be normal for me. I think people still think there’s some beef or something. There’s no beef.”
Russell Westbrook on facing Kevin Durant and the Suns.
(via @TomerAzarly)
pic.twitter.com/417PnBriBl – 2:11 PM
Kyle Kuzma @kylekuzma
3.) You can thank KD & Kyrie and the for spearheading 34 wins before the all star break (11-13 after the break) for your playoffs. 🤣🤣🤣 – 2:09 PM
3.) You can thank KD & Kyrie and the for spearheading 34 wins before the all star break (11-13 after the break) for your playoffs. 🤣🤣🤣 – 2:09 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
On the eve of the NBA playoffs, the young gun @tashanreed got some time with @KDTrey5 to talk about KD’s YouTube show “The ETCs,” his growing media empire and his desire to tell his stories his way. In @TheAthletic: bit.ly/3Myt2pr – 2:00 PM
On the eve of the NBA playoffs, the young gun @tashanreed got some time with @KDTrey5 to talk about KD’s YouTube show “The ETCs,” his growing media empire and his desire to tell his stories his way. In @TheAthletic: bit.ly/3Myt2pr – 2:00 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Russell Westbrook on Kevin Durant: “There’s no beef.” pic.twitter.com/XAxTH87giJ – 1:57 PM
Russell Westbrook on Kevin Durant: “There’s no beef.” pic.twitter.com/XAxTH87giJ – 1:57 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Russell Westbrook on playoffs with KD: “Sit down at times and like, you know, look at back in the day, those series, and kind of what could have been. Definitely. But not, as much as I’ll reflect on probably when I’m done playing. I’ll probably reflect on it a lot more.” – 1:56 PM
Russell Westbrook on playoffs with KD: “Sit down at times and like, you know, look at back in the day, those series, and kind of what could have been. Definitely. But not, as much as I’ll reflect on probably when I’m done playing. I’ll probably reflect on it a lot more.” – 1:56 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Russell Westbrook on if he ever looks back on his time with Kevin Durant and what could have been: “Definitely, look at back in the day, those series and what could have been. But not as much as probably when I am done, I probably will reflect on it a lot more.” – 1:54 PM
Russell Westbrook on if he ever looks back on his time with Kevin Durant and what could have been: “Definitely, look at back in the day, those series and what could have been. But not as much as probably when I am done, I probably will reflect on it a lot more.” – 1:54 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Russell Westbrook on facing Kevin Durant in a 7-game series: “I think people still think like there’s some beef or something. There’s no beef… There’s no beef. I got nothing but respect for him and things he’s done. There’s no beef at all.” – 1:52 PM
Russell Westbrook on facing Kevin Durant in a 7-game series: “I think people still think like there’s some beef or something. There’s no beef… There’s no beef. I got nothing but respect for him and things he’s done. There’s no beef at all.” – 1:52 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Russell Westbrook says that there is no beef with Kevin Durant… repeatedly 😆
“He knows I’m going to compete.” – 1:47 PM
Russell Westbrook says that there is no beef with Kevin Durant… repeatedly 😆
“He knows I’m going to compete.” – 1:47 PM
Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Russ on facing Kevin Durant:
“Normal for me. I still think people think there’s some beef or something. There’s no beef. … I got nothing but respect for him.” – 1:47 PM
Russ on facing Kevin Durant:
“Normal for me. I still think people think there’s some beef or something. There’s no beef. … I got nothing but respect for him.” – 1:47 PM
Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Russell Westbrook is here. He said Kevin Durant has become even more efficient as a scorer since they played together. – 1:46 PM
Russell Westbrook is here. He said Kevin Durant has become even more efficient as a scorer since they played together. – 1:46 PM
Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
Nico Batum overlapped in Portland with Monty Williams.
“He changed the culture for that (Suns) franchise, as soon as he got there. Now you got KD to the mix. Good for them.
“You got two great coaches and they face each other, Ty against Monty. So, going to be a great series.” – 1:27 PM
Nico Batum overlapped in Portland with Monty Williams.
“He changed the culture for that (Suns) franchise, as soon as he got there. Now you got KD to the mix. Good for them.
“You got two great coaches and they face each other, Ty against Monty. So, going to be a great series.” – 1:27 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
NBA’s jersey sales top 15:
1. LeBron James
2. Steph Curry
3. Jayson Tatum
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Luka Doncic
6. Kevin Durant
7. Devin Booker
8. Ja Morant
9. Dame Lillard
10. Kyrie Irving
11. LaMelo Ball
12. Nikola Jokic
13. Joel Embiid
14. Jaylen Brown
15. Jordan Poole pic.twitter.com/jhMVmMqcMk – 1:19 PM
NBA’s jersey sales top 15:
1. LeBron James
2. Steph Curry
3. Jayson Tatum
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Luka Doncic
6. Kevin Durant
7. Devin Booker
8. Ja Morant
9. Dame Lillard
10. Kyrie Irving
11. LaMelo Ball
12. Nikola Jokic
13. Joel Embiid
14. Jaylen Brown
15. Jordan Poole pic.twitter.com/jhMVmMqcMk – 1:19 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Part 3.
Russell Westbrook is the X-factor.
On his level of play this year, his past with Kevin Durant and if an all-time great has one more run in him: arizonasports.com/story/3519535/… – 1:08 PM
Part 3.
Russell Westbrook is the X-factor.
On his level of play this year, his past with Kevin Durant and if an all-time great has one more run in him: arizonasports.com/story/3519535/… – 1:08 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Suns jumped from 9th to 4th in the second half of the season for the top-selling team merchandise through the NBA’s online sales.
Kevin Durant’s jersey was No. 6 overall among players and Devin Booker was right behind him in seventh. – 1:06 PM
Suns jumped from 9th to 4th in the second half of the season for the top-selling team merchandise through the NBA’s online sales.
Kevin Durant’s jersey was No. 6 overall among players and Devin Booker was right behind him in seventh. – 1:06 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most playoff PPG by an active player:
32.5 — Luka Doncic
29.4 — Kevin Durant
28.7 — LeBron James
28.3 — Donovan Mitchell
28.2 —Ja Morant
27.3 — Anthony Davis pic.twitter.com/6auikwFAad – 11:35 AM
Most playoff PPG by an active player:
32.5 — Luka Doncic
29.4 — Kevin Durant
28.7 — LeBron James
28.3 — Donovan Mitchell
28.2 —Ja Morant
27.3 — Anthony Davis pic.twitter.com/6auikwFAad – 11:35 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Suns know what they’re getting out of KD, Booker and CP3, but where does Deandre Ayton fit? For @PHNX_Suns, I took a look at his recent offensive role and where he can impact Phoenix’s playoff run: bit.ly/3KQAUkU pic.twitter.com/MstlwiRlSr – 11:03 AM
The Suns know what they’re getting out of KD, Booker and CP3, but where does Deandre Ayton fit? For @PHNX_Suns, I took a look at his recent offensive role and where he can impact Phoenix’s playoff run: bit.ly/3KQAUkU pic.twitter.com/MstlwiRlSr – 11:03 AM
Kane Pitman @KanePitman
Catch up on the full chat with Jock Landale below!
🏀 Upcoming NBA playoff debut
🏀 Navigating pressure of contract situation
🏀 The night KD was traded to Phoenix
🏀 Battle for minutes with Bismack Biyombo
youtu.be/RVzdTkAvmQ8 – 4:40 AM
Catch up on the full chat with Jock Landale below!
🏀 Upcoming NBA playoff debut
🏀 Navigating pressure of contract situation
🏀 The night KD was traded to Phoenix
🏀 Battle for minutes with Bismack Biyombo
youtu.be/RVzdTkAvmQ8 – 4:40 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
We had the KD foot on the line a couple years ago. We’ll see if tonight comes down to the AD foot on the feet of Conley. – 12:44 AM
We had the KD foot on the line a couple years ago. We’ll see if tonight comes down to the AD foot on the feet of Conley. – 12:44 AM
More on this storyline
“I’m a true vet,” Durant said. “I’ve been in the league 15 years playing but 16 years around the league. I played with so many different players under so many different coaches — I know a few coaches here before I got here and I know I had a couple of teammates that I played on some teams with before I got here. So I think that stuff adds (up) and helps with speeding that transition up, just getting used to your teammates.” -via Arizona’s Sports Page / April 13, 2023
Ahead of Sunday’s Game 1, Durant spoke with members of Suns media at practice, where he was asked about Westbrook and if that competitive edge is still there against one another. “I think Russ is competitive against any player he plays against,” Kevin Durant said of Russell Westbrook, per Duane Rankin of AZ Central. “I don’t think it was just specific to me. I think a lot of the fans and the people that were watching, it was high-intensity for them, it was entertainment for them. For us players, it’s just another game, it’s regularly scheduled programming, but Russ is that way. I’ve played with him for so long and watched him for so long, he was that way against everybody, so I don’t expect anything different.” -via Clutch Points / April 13, 2023
Clutch Points: Top 4 active NBA players with the most Playoff points 📈 
LeBron James (7,631 PTS, 49.5% FG) Kevin Durant (4,559 PTS, 47.6% FG) Steph Curry (3,570 PTS, 45.2% FG) James Harden (3,414 PTS, 42.6% FG) pic.twitter.com/lCLG8odqW6 -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / April 12, 2023
LeBron James (7,631 PTS, 49.5% FG) Kevin Durant (4,559 PTS, 47.6% FG) Steph Curry (3,570 PTS, 45.2% FG) James Harden (3,414 PTS, 42.6% FG) pic.twitter.com/lCLG8odqW6 -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / April 12, 2023
Ohm Youngmisuk: Russell Westbrook on if he ever looks back on his time with Kevin Durant and what could have been: “Definitely, look at back in the day, those series and what could have been. But not as much as probably when I am done, I probably will reflect on it a lot more.” -via Twitter @NotoriousOHM / April 12, 2023
Ohm Youngmisuk: Russell Westbrook on facing Kevin Durant in a 7-game series: “I think people still think like there’s some beef or something. There’s no beef… There’s no beef. I got nothing but respect for him and things he’s done. There’s no beef at all.” -via Twitter @NotoriousOHM / April 12, 2023