Kevin Durant Honors Russell Westbrook Following Retirement Announcement
Kevin Durant publicly praised former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook on Thursday, August 13, following Westbrook’s announcement that he is retiring from the NBA. Durant, writing on X, described his former teammate’s 18-season career as “iconic” and characterized Westbrook’s approach to the game as quiet and methodical, contrary to public perceptions of his on-court intensity.
Eight Seasons of Collaboration in Oklahoma City
Durant and Westbrook were foundational figures for the Oklahoma City Thunder, playing together for eight seasons from 2008 to 2016. According to reporting from Bleacher Report, the duo led the franchise to five playoff appearances and a berth in the 2012 NBA Finals, where they were defeated by LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Their partnership ended in 2016 when Durant departed for the Golden State Warriors.
Durant recalled the daily rituals that defined their tenure, including shared bus rides, card games, and jokes. He specifically noted the influence Westbrook had on his own training habits, recalling a conversation with assistant coach Maurice Cheeks about the difficulty of working out before practice. After seeing Westbrook’s commitment to early sessions, Durant adopted the same routine.
Legacy of the NBA Triple-Double King
As noted by Bleacher Report, he holds the NBA record with 209 career triple-doubles and averaged a triple-double across four separate seasons. His resume includes nine All-Star selections, nine All-NBA selections, two scoring titles, and the 2017 league MVP award.
While the two players competed against one another following their time in Oklahoma City, Durant wrote, “This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything.”
Did you know?
Russell Westbrook ranks 14th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and 5th on the all-time assists leaderboard, according to data cited by Bleacher Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long did Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook play together?
The pair played together for eight seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, from 2008 to 2016.
What records does Russell Westbrook hold?
Westbrook holds the NBA record for most career triple-doubles with 209, according to Bleacher Report.
What was the nature of the relationship between Durant and Westbrook?
Durant described their friendship as one built on mutual encouragement through the highs and lows of their careers, noting that despite high-stakes matchups after 2016, the two maintained respect for their shared professional journey.
What are your favorite memories from the Durant-Westbrook era in Oklahoma City? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more NBA news.