OKLAHOMA CITY _ Seven hours before playing Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City for the first time, Russell Westbrook provided his most expansive quotes yet on the pair's fractured relationship.
Westbrook didn't go in depth. But he didn't ignore Durant questions either, which has been his typical tactic this season, his first in the NBA without his former co-star.
"You know, we grew up here together," Westbrook said. "And you know, since then decisions have been made on what's best for him and his future and I made a decision that was best for mine, and that's just how it's been."
Westbrook was asked how both of the two could label each other as "brothers" in the past and now not even be on speaking terms.
"I mean sometimes it happens like that," Westbrook said. "Ain't nothing I can say about it. Sometimes that's how things go."
Westbrook was asked if Durant's departure still hurt.
"Hurt? I mean, I'm fine," Westbrook said. "I'm fine. Honestly. Move forward. Things happen in life, man. As a man, you've got to move forward. I have a great group of guys here that I love like my brothers. There's been many a teammate that I had here before that left me, and they're my brothers � that I still talk to do and that I don't talk to. It's not just Kevin. There's many guys that come in and out of Oklahoma City that I (have) a relationship that maybe you guys don't know about. Obviously with me and Kevin, it's a bigger stage. It happens."
Westbrook was asked whether he thinks the two can one day reconcile.
"Ah, I'm not sure," Westbrook said. "It's not really up to me, honestly."
