Kevin Durant Blames The Media For His Feud With Russell Westbrook

LBS- In anticipation of returning to Oklahoma City on Saturday night for the first time as a visiting player, Durant spoke with ESPN’s Marc Stein about his relationship with Westbrook. The so-called “feud” between the two, he says, was fabricated by the media.

“Early on in the season I was doing an interview with someone and I used the word ‘unselfish’ to describe my (Warriors) teammates,” Durant recalled. “Someone asked Russell if he heard what I said about being unselfish, and (the reporter) phrased the question as if I was saying the Thunder and their organization and team are selfish. Once I heard that I was like, ‘They’re trying to get in between this thing and make it bigger than what it is.’

“Obviously Russell wasn’t going to hear that interview I had about me just talking about my teammates I have now. It’s that easy for the media to twist something up and for the media to make a feud between us.”


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Ugh, the media. Of course it was the media. With their deceitful narratives and maniacal search for hidden agendas. I can't believe they used their platforms to ruin such a strong, seemingly everlasting bond between a player and his now former teammate that bolted to the team they choked against without so much as a text message. Have they no shame? Publicizing interviews that were done in front of multiple cameras? Putting the most basic of critical thought into quotes from both parties that seemed extremely pointed? I bet Russell Westbrook immediately posted that picture of cupcakes on his Instagram as a sign of good will towards the guy that he worked alongside for eight years who still hasn't given him a single phone call six months later. It's too bad the media had to step in with their undying pessimism and misinterpret such a generous going away present. 

I can't help but think we would be better off if there were a way for athletes to control their own media. Ya know, perhaps more socially than having it regurgitated by people whose job it is to get clicks. Wouldn't that make it far easier for them to clear the air when unfortunate things like undeniable context and not-so-subliminal messages cloud their actual thoughts? Can't believe nothing like that exists, because surely Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant would still be FaceTiming each other for pillow talk and have weekly picnics planned throughout the offseason if it did. 

Right Russ...