Jay-Z Helped Kevin Durant Make His Free Agency Decision. Thoughts Russell?

Uproxx- With Durant having infamously signing to Roc Nation Sports in 2013, reportedly to help build his brand, it’s no shocker to hear that Jay was an influence on the biggest business decision of Durant’s life and of their partnership. What is interesting, however, is finding out what his role in the process was exactly. 

Rich Kleiman: My best friend moved from New York to Los Angeles and he’s making more money now than when he lived in New York, by I wasn’t like ‘Yo, how you going to leave me in New York man and move to LA when you can make more money in LA.’ He just did what the right thing was. I know it sounds crazy, but that’s really how practical we were about it. You know, somebody — I’m not name dropping at all but — Jay Z was like the king of pra-

Bill Simmons: That’s phenomenal.

Kevin Durant: You are name dropping bro.

BS: I love that. ‘I’m not name dropping at all but Jay Z…’

RK: You know what, f*ck it. If he’s one of your best friends, I mean, he’s Jay Z, you’ve got to name drop him. He was like the king of practicality to us. We would call him in the middle of it, (Durant: Yeah) and we would ask him these questions that would make our minds spin, and he would answer it so matter-of-factly that we were like ‘Damn, you’re right it is that simple.’ It’s that simple sometimes

KD: Life is simple man.



​Live look at Russell Westbrook...

I don't know much about Russell Westbrook personally, but I think it's safe to say that - from here on out - 'Ether' is getting more spins than 'Takeover' when he's trying to get in that no-holds-barred headspace. I think we can all agree - beyond a 'Reasonable Doubt' - that 'Illmatic' just moved a bit higher in the rotation. Hova is not a businessman, he's a business...maaaaaan, so it made perfect sense for Kevin Durant to seek his advice regarding a largely financial decision, but you know what emotions transcend logic? Spite. Vengeance. Malice. This is the exact way I picture Russell Westbrook after reading the transcript of this interview, and I will let none of you tell me differently...

Now all the Jigga Man has to do is get partial ownership of a franchise that's currently worth a damn so the game will be watchable when Westbrook puts up a triple double in the first ten minutes and follows every bucket with a penetrating side-eye to the power couple in the courtside seats. Hatred - no matter how loosely affiliated it may be - fuels him, and the NBA is more fun when Russell is playing like there's a fire up his ass.