The debate over who wears the pants in Oklahoma City between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook is an ongoing one. But it looks like we just got another key piece of evidence to work with.
Speaking with reporters at Team USA Basketball minicamp on Tuesday, Durant was asked for the umpteenth about his plans for free agency in 2016. To that, the Thunder forward replied that he had more important things on his mind right now.
Kevin Durant dismisses 2016 FA talk. "I'm just trying to go out there and not get cussed out by Russell Westbrook." pic.twitter.com/75XmvP1K6d
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 11, 2015
Classic.
Durant was limited to just 27 games last season after suffering a Jones fracture in his right foot, then rushing back and requiring further surgery. During his absence, Westbrook took his new status as the undisputed OKC alpha dog and ran with it. The UCLA product unleashed a league-wide rampage of triple-doubles en route to winning the scoring title with 28.1 points per game, though the Thunder failed to make the 2015 playoffs.
For Durant’s part, he has seemed more than willing to defer to Westbrook on many instances when the two have shared the floor together. But maybe this latest quote of his is more of a testament to the famously fiery Westbrook’s “Screw you, I’ll call you out no matter who you are” attitude than anything.
Nevertheless, Durant looks to be on track for a full recovery in time for the start of the 2015-16 season. He was cleared to make his return to the basketball court and practice with Team USA this week, something the 26-year-old was understandably excited to do.
Kevin Durant today at the USA Basketball mini-camp: "That competitive juice is just boiling in my body and I'm ready to play."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) August 11, 2015
Kevin Durant on getting back on the floor with his Team USA teammates: "You remember Christmas as a kid?"
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 11, 2015
Durant also expressed confidence in his physical fitness on Tuesday, declaring himself to be fully healthy.
Kevin Durant on his foot: "I'm feeling great. I can go 100 percent."
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) August 11, 2015
The 2014 NBA MVP looked the part as well.
Kevin Durant appears to have remained good: https://t.co/AHVpCjpsLf
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) August 11, 2015
A rejuvenated Durant will obviously be a huge boost to the Thunder’s title hopes next season. When healthy, he just might be the best all-around offensive player in the league. Durant has also learned how to use his length to become a pest on the defensive end, and at his absolute floor, he’s a top-3 player in the NBA. The Slim Reaper at 100 percent could easily be the difference between the Thunder missing the playoffs or hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy at season’s end.
And no matter who wears the pants in this relationship, I think we can all agree that we’re excited to get a healthy heaping of Westbrook-Durant alley-oops once again.
