Durant denies rift with Westbrook

The relationship between Oklahoma City Thunder two stars has been under scrutiny for a few years now, but Kevin Durant maintains he remains close with Russell Westbrook on and off the court.

Talk of a rift between Durant and Westbrook has been circulating in the NBA but the former insists he has no problem with his team-mate, who he classifies as “family”.

Durant, though, did admit they pair have their moments “where they go at it”.

“There’s times I don’t like what he’s doing out on the court,” the 27-year-old told The Oklahoman. “There’s times where he hates what I’m doing out on the court. There’s times where it’s ‘Russ, you gotta control your attitude,’ or ‘KD, you gotta stop, you gotta speak up,’ whatever.

“There’s times we cuss each other out, but that’s a part of being brothers. Because I know if I need something, he’ll be there and if I need to talk to someone outside of basketball, he’ll be there. It’s a real brotherhood-type relationship. We’re like family.”

Even though Westbrook has averaged more shot attempts per game than Durant over the past three-plus seasons, the four-time scoring champion insists shot selection has not affected the pair’s friendship.

“How can you tell? That’s my whole question,” said Durant, who is set to enter free agency at the end of the season.

“What are you basing that off of? Because he shoots more than I do one game? That don’t make no sense. We don’t like each other because he shot more? That don’t make no sense.

“And it’s really disrespectful to me or to us because you think I’m that selfish of a person. I don’t like this guy because he shoots more than me? That’s disrespectful to me. Because if I’m a friend, I’m genuine. I’m there, no matter what. Good days, bad days, more shots. I’m a real friend.”