Kevin Durant says he and Russell Westbrook are cool

http://i2.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/kevin-durant-russell-westbrook.jpg?fit=588%2C317

Kevin Durant says he and Russell Westbrook “are cool” even though KD left his longtime former teammate when he decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors in July.

Durant was in Austin for a Nike event at the University of Texas on Friday and answered questions from the audience. One was about his relationship with Westbrook.

“We’re still cool. We’re going to compete against each other at the highest level. We’re gonna have fun against each other. We’re still cool,” said Durant.

Here’s the video:

Kevin Durant on his relationship with Russell Westbrook. #Thunder #Warriors pic.twitter.com/D0bwNd7kiG

— Rockets Insider (@Rockets_Insider) September 9, 2016

The topic of the relationship between the two players has been one of great intrigue since Durant’s league-changing decision to join the Warriors. The two had been on the same side trying to win a championship since Westbrook joined the league in 2008, so seeing one of the league’s best tandems splitting apart was shocking.

There were initial reports of tension between the two men — especially after reports like this came out — but in the end, you can’t throw away all they accomplished together nor their longtime close friendship.

H/T The Oklahoman

Basketball – Larry Brown Sports
http://wp.me/p59zQO-8Ap
#Cool, #Durant, #Kevin, #Russell, #Says, #Westbrook - #Basketball

First Look at the Jordan Westbrook 0.2 ‘Banned’

http://www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Screen-Shot-2016-09-09-at-12.44.08-PM-1024x574.png

Russell Westbrook has evolved to be the face of Jordan. His recent trip to China was backed by JB. His first signature Jordan wasn’t for the hardwood. The Brodie’s keen eye for fashion was the inspiration behind the Jordan Westbrook 0. It was the first signature lifestyle sneaker Jordan Brand made.

While on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Westbrook showed off his new Jordan Westbrook 0.2, in the “Banned” colorway.

“I like to change the game up a little bit, so I went with lifestyle,” he said on the show.

The 0.2s take up the “Banned” colorway that Jordan Brand has been running with lately. Keep it locked for more info on the silhouette as it becomes available.

The post First Look at the Jordan Westbrook 0.2 ‘Banned’ appeared first on SLAMonline.

SLAMonline
http://wp.me/p59zQO-8ug
#Banned, #First, #Jordan, #Look, #Westbrook - #Basketball

Russell Westbrook Visits China

http://i0.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Westbrook_Tour_3_original.jpg?fit=640%2C427

As Jordan Brand’s lead ambassador, Russell Westbrook recently got to tour the Far East with the Brand. He made stops in Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei, connecting with fans, putting on dunking shows and learned about miniature landscaping.

Russ has been in the news this summer for a number of reasons, including the Air Jordan XXXI. He’s the face of the sneaker that combines the past and the future.

Check out pictures of the trip up top.

Photos courtesy of Nike

The post Russell Westbrook Visits China appeared first on SLAMonline.

SLAMonline
http://wp.me/p59zQO-8mp
#China, #Russell, #Visits, #Westbrook - #Basketball

Thunder fan petitions to change name of Durant, Oklahoma to Westbrook

http://i1.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Kevin-Durant-1.jpg?fit=600%2C355

The negative feelings toward Kevin Durant run deep in certain parts of Oklahoma.

How deep? Well, did you know there is a town called Durant in Oklahoma? And did you know that a resident of the state is now petitioning to change the name of that town?

Edmond, Oklahoma resident Ryan Nazari started a petition asking the Governor of Oklahoma to change the name of Durant to Westbrook to celebrate the newly-committed guard.

“As many of you know, Kevin Durant has left our state, torn out our hearts, and left our beloved Oklahoma City Thunder in depleted shape,” the petition reads. “All of this after even being offered a cabinet position for the State of Oklahoma. It is because of this heinous action that I believe the State of Oklahoma has a responsibility to change the name of the City of Durant to Westbrook, the man who is loyal, whom we believe in, and who will lead our team to glory.”

Will it happen? Probably not. Is it fun? Yes, it is, and much like this, probably a more constructive thing to do than burning jerseys.

H/T theScore

Basketball – Larry Brown Sports
http://wp.me/p59zQO-6Ls
#Change, #Durant, #Name, #Oklahoma, #Petitions, #Thunder, #Westbrook - #Basketball

Michael Jordan Says Russell Westbrook is Him ‘Thirty Years Ago’

http://i2.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/westbrook-3.jpg?fit=640%2C413

Assuming he remains healthy, as the unquestioned franchise player in OKC, Russell Westbrook should put up even more monster numbers for the Thunder next season.

Michael Jordan knows a thing or two about that, and says Russ reminds him of his much younger self.

Michael Jordan says Russell Westbrook is a young MJ: https://t.co/gm5aWs9DGb pic.twitter.com/FDIK0YVXsr

— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) August 5, 2016

MJ—who, by the way, averaged a career-best 37.1 points thirty years ago during the 1986-87 season—spoke in glowing terms about Westbrook at a recent Jordan Brand event in Las Vegas.

Per Complex:

The film, which included clips of (designer Tate) Kuerbis and Westbrook and even Michael Jordan himself discussing the new shoe, also focused plenty on Westbrook, who will be the shoe’s primary endorser. Westbrook, who’d never seen it before, knelt on the couch facing backwards, poking his head out from the curtains to watch his own highlight-reel clips on the big screen. Then they cut back to Jordan. “Thirty years ago, that’s me,” he said of Westbrook. “The attitude, trying to prove myself, showing so much passion for the game of basketball. You see it in his play. You can tell he loves the game, he plays with energy and flair.”

 

This certainly wasn’t the first time Westbrook had been compared to a young Jordan, but for Michael himself to do it, well, that was different. “That’s crazy,” he told us during his interview. “I really don’t know what to say. To have the best player who ever played the game to say that about you as a player and as a person is something that is going to keep me striving.”

 

Like the young Jordan, Westbrook will now have to do everything for his team to remain competitive, and like the young Jordan, he’s more than capable of it. Last year Westbrook averaged 23.5 points, 10.4 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals, and equaled Magic Johnson’s modern NBA record of 18 triple-doubles. He played with—plays with—an intense ferocity that leaves stunned defenders in his wake, and occasionally leaves teammates just as shook.

The post Michael Jordan Says Russell Westbrook is Him ‘Thirty Years Ago’ appeared first on SLAMonline.

SLAMonline
http://po.st/Mlp7pG
#Thirty, #Ago, #Jordan, #Michael, #Russell, #Says, #Westbrook, #Years - #Basketball

Russell Westbrook deleted Kevin Durant’s text message about Warriors move

http://i0.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/kevin-durant-russell-westbrook.jpg?fit=588%2C317

It goes without saying that Russell Westbrook is unhappy Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder. Considering the duo helped turn the team into a championship contender, hard feelings are only natural. So how is Westbrook handling the big change?

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical took us behind the scenes of Westbrook’s new three-year deal with the Thunder. According to Woj, Westbrook did not sulk over Durant leaving. He didn’t ask the Thunder front office for an explanation of how they lost K.D., either. In fact, Westbrook began erasing his former teammate from his mind — and possibly life — almost immediately.

For a front office still mired in angst and anger, Westbrook delivered a sobering splash of ice water: What’s next?

No nostalgia, no reflection and no regret: In Westbrook’s world, Durant had been deleted like his old teammate’s text message saying goodbye on the way to Golden State.

One source close to Westbrook told Wojnarowski that the star point guard knew right away he wanted to stay in Oklahoma City and “go to battle” with the guys who are left rather than chasing a championship elsewhere. And aside from a casual “how’s it going” or “what up,” no one really expects Westbrook to speak to Durant.

For everyone waiting on Westbrook to unload on Durant, they could be disappointed. Yes, he has his thoughts and opinions on Durant’s move, but it is unlikely that he’ll be moved to share them in dramatic detail. What’s more, there’s a significant chance it could be years before Westbrook and Durant ever engage in a meaningful conversation again. Westbrook doesn’t do nostalgia, nor disregard slights – real or perceived.

Durant is deleted. Done and gone and no longer part of his world…

From the way it sounds, we wouldn’t be surprised if Westbrook hasn’t spoken to Durant at all since Durant signed with Golden State. That would help explain why Durant said what he did about Westbrook’s new contract.

Basketball – Larry Brown Sports
http://po.st/UxwWst
#About, #Deleted, #DurantS, #Kevin, #Message, #Move, #Russell, #Text, #Warriors, #Westbrook - #Basketball

Enes Kanter trolls Kevin Durant, Lakers over Russell Westbrook extension

http://i0.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/enes-kanter-thunder.jpg?fit=585%2C371

Enes Kanter is thrilled that Russell Westbrook decided to sign an extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the big man is letting everyone hear about it.

On Wednesday night, Kanter shared a photo on Twitter that trolled the Lakers using the infamous crying Jordan face meme:

Stop refreshing the page Lol
it"s true pic.twitter.com/WxyZUHImWN

— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) August 4, 2016

The following morning, Kanter turned his attention toward trolling Kevin Durant:

I ain"t gonna join the enemy
I"m here to compete pic.twitter.com/2Elu93b4P5

— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) August 4, 2016

Kanter has, in many ways, been the voice of Thunder fans this offseason. He jumped all over Durant by sending this tweet after K.D. signed with the Golden State Warriors. Kanter also unloaded on a writer who said no one wants to play alongside Westbrook.

Now that the Thunder have Westbrook under contract for at least two more seasons, they can focus on trying to become a contender without Durant. Kanter will handle all the jokes, so they don’t have to worry about that.

Basketball – Larry Brown Sports
http://po.st/RCXzZc
#Durant, #Enes, #Extension, #Kanter, #Kevin, #Lakers, #Over, #Russell, #Trolls, #Westbrook - #Basketball

Kevin Durant won’t congratulate Russell Westbrook on new contract yet

http://i1.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Kevin-Durant-Russell-Westbrook.jpg?fit=600%2C397

Russell Westbrook is now the new face of loyalty for the people of Oklahoma City after the star guard signed a new three-year contract with the team this week. Should Kevin Durant congratulate his former teammate for that?

He’s not going to — at least not yet.

Durant was asked on Thursday by a reporter at the Rio Olympics if he plans on contacting Westbrook.

Durant on whether he"ll contact Westbrook to offer congrats: "Nah, that"s a touchy subject. I"ll see once everything dies down." #Rio2016

— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) August 4, 2016

That should tell you all you need to know about the current state of the relationship between Durant and Westbrook.

A Thunder reporter recently said Durant lied to Westbrook’s face about whether he was staying in Oklahoma City, though the reporter later admitted he misspoke. Durant also denied ever telling Westbrook he wasn’t leaving. Still, things seem a bit icy.

For Durant to openly admit he needs things to “die down” before he can reach out to Westbrook says a lot. Perhaps there is something to the report about Westbrook not being pleased with Durant’s decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors.

Basketball – Larry Brown Sports
http://po.st/i8cBEJ
#Congratulate, #Contract, #Durant, #Kevin, #Russell, #Westbrook, #WonT - #Basketball

Russell Westbrook, Thunder agree to contract extension

http://i0.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/russell-westbrook-1.jpg?fit=600%2C327

Russell Westbrook looks like he will be staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder for at least another season.

The All-Star point guard is flying to Oklahoma City to sign a contract extension, The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. The Thunder are planning to hold a press conference Thursday to announce the deal.

According to Woj, the terms of the contract extension are three years for $ 85 million.

Though the contract extension is for three years, it doesn’t necessarily mean Westbrook will remain with the Thunder for another three seasons.

Westbrook was scheduled to make $ 17.8 million for the upcoming season before becoming an unrestricted free agent. With the new deal, the Thunder are bumping Westbrook’s salary for 2016-2017 to $ 26.5 million. They also will pay him $ 28.5 million in 2017-2018.

The key part of the deal is that the third year will be a player option at $ 30.6 million for 2018-2019.

The implications of the extension are that barring a trade, the Thunder are getting an extra season of Westbrook guaranteed. The trade-off is that they’re increasing his pay for the upcoming season by around $ 9 million.

After two seasons pass, Westbrook will then have the choice to remain with the Thunder for $ 30.6 million, or he can opt out and become an unrestricted free agent. At that point he will have the ability to sign with another team, or he can try for a max contract with the Thunder.

A max contract signed in 2018 projects to be worth around $ 40 million a season:

Russell Westbrook would be in position to cash in with a massive contract in July of 2018…

(h/t @BobbyMarks42) pic.twitter.com/94uIhgWbQx

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) August 4, 2016

For now, Westbrook is getting a nice pay raise and the ability to show what he can do as a team leader without Kevin Durant.

Basketball – Larry Brown Sports
http://po.st/bzTtzF
#Agree, #Contract, #Extension, #Russell, #Thunder, #Westbrook - #Basketball

Report: OKC Negotiating a Three-Year, $85 Million Extension With Russell Westbrook

http://i1.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/russ.jpg?fit=640%2C360

All is not lost for the Thunder following Kevin Durant’s stunning departure, it seems.

OKC is reportedly discussing a three-year, $ 85 million contract renegotiation with All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook.

Sources on @TheVertical: Westbrook, OKC in serious talks on contract renegotiation to keep All-Star thru 2019. https://t.co/PesEXnCpJQ

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) August 4, 2016

The third year of the pact would reportedly include a player option that would allow Westbrook to become a free agent two summers from now.

Per Yahoo:

In the structure of a proposed deal, the renegotiation would move Westbrook’s salary in 2016-17 from $ 17.8 million to a $ 26.5 million max salary. Westbrook would make $ 28.5 million in 2017-18 and $ 30.6 million in the third year under the proposed renegotiated deal. Oklahoma City is able to offer the extension because it has the appropriate salary-cap space available.

 

For now, Westbrook is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in 2017, and a new contractual commitment to Oklahoma City in the wake of Kevin Durant’s departure could be instrumental in recruiting another elite free agent to the Thunder’s talented core next summer.

The post Report: OKC Negotiating a Three-Year, $ 85 Million Extension With Russell Westbrook appeared first on SLAMonline.

SLAMonline
http://po.st/BWGPwI
#Extension, #Million, #Negotiating, #Report, #Russell, #ThreeYear, #Westbrook - #Basketball

Russell Westbrook in talks with Thunder about contract extension

http://i2.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/russell-westbrook.jpg?fit=600%2C327

Russell Westbrook is in talks with the Oklahoma City Thunder about a contract extension, according to a report.

The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski says Westbrook’s agent is in serious talks with the Thunder about extending the guard’s current deal, which expires after the upcoming season.

The extension they’re discussing would be for two years plus a player option for a third. In total, the three-year deal would be worth $ 85 million.

Westbrook is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after next season.

With the salary cap and influx of new money set to increase in the coming years, why would Westbrook want to sign an extension now instead of waiting to test free agency?

Well, Westbrook is only set to make $ 17.8 million this season, but the extension would bump that up to a $ 26.5 million max salary. He would make $ 28.5 million the year after, and his player option would be for $ 30.6 million in 2018-2019. It would be hard to imagine him beating that money on a per-season basis.

After Kevin Durant left the Thunder for the Warriors last month, initial reports said Westbrook would not discuss a contract extension with Oklahoma City. But the latest information has suggested that Westbrook is motivated by Durant leaving and now wants to show what he can do as OKC’s unquestioned leader. Signing on with OKC for two more years would give Westbrook that chance. The option would also allow him to become a free agent in a few seasons if he wants to see what other teams have to offer.

Basketball – Larry Brown Sports
http://po.st/1md3yg
#About, #Contract, #Extension, #Russell, #Talks, #Thunder, #Westbrook - #Basketball

WATCH: ‘Competitive Streak’ Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook Tribute Video

http://i0.wp.com/www.truesportsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/watch-competitive-streak-kevin-d.jpg?fit=640%2C360

Los Angeles based R&B, soul artist Joey Dosik released an EP, “Game Winner”, June 24 and the video for the single “Competitive Streak”  complements the emotions Thunder fans must be going through in the wake of Kevin Durant’s departure to the Golden State Warriors.

Dosik, a hoop head and Lakers fan, wrote and recorded the entire EP while rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered while playing ball in 2015.

You also may remember Dosik’s voice from this Kobe Bryant tribute video set to his EP’s title track that we ran the day of Kobe’s final game in a Lakers jersey.

The post WATCH: ‘Competitive Streak’ Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook Tribute Video appeared first on SLAMonline.

SLAMonline
http://po.st/ZZhoZY
#Competitive, #Durant, #Kevin, #Russell, #Streak, #Tribute, #Video, #Watch, #Westbrook - #Basketball