Russell Westbrook made his decision today. He will stay at Oklahoma City and play for “his” Thunder for the next two, three, and more likely, seven (yes, seven) years. His new contract extension could in time make him the highest paid player in the NBA. But that was not what caught my ear on this day of days for the OKC Thunder. What did was the second comments of the day by former Westbrook and Thunder team-mate, the one named Kevin Durant. As we all know, “KD” took a different route this summer and signed a contract with the Golden State Warriors, a two year deal, guaranteeing his at least one year in the Bay area. Not much of a commitment, but yes, I understand his wanting to get a higher maximum contract next summer when he does his thing and chooses where he wants to play for that coming five year time period starting in 2017. That is another story.
The following comments are telling, if you want my opinion, one of a non-practicing and non-trained psychologist. Durant’s comments:
“I’m happy to see any player in this league do whatever they want to do,” Durant said. “As long as he wasn’t pressured to do anything and felt like he did everything he wanted to do. And that’s how I feel about every player in this league. It’s good for him, man. It’s good for his family. It’s good for the people in Oklahoma City that love to watch him play and love to have him on their team.
“I got nothing but positive energy and vibes for everybody. I don’t have no beef with anybody or wish no ill will on anybody. So if he did what he wanted to do, that’s better. That’s great for him.”
Again, I was not educated as a psychologist, my area of study being teaching and educational administration. I did have to take a mandatory class in my studies at the university, educational psychology. But it is not a stretch to get somewhat deep into Kevin Durant’s comment above to think that this twentyish year old man is susceptible to voices from his inner circle, which have a significant bearing on his life altering decisions.
Durant’s qualifying comment about making decisions. saying “I’m happy to see any player in this league do whatever they want to do……..As long as he wasn’t pressured to do anything and felt like he did everything he wanted to do”, cut to the point. The new Warrior, in making his move, emphasized the change of scenery as something he wanted to do, to be happy, to play with those he wanted to play with. In other words, Kevin Durant was trying to sell “himself” on the decision of his lifetime. A decision that he just had to point out, letting everyone know that it was “his” decision; and “he” wanted to be happy; and to play in Golden State would be great because he could hit the court with “his” kind of team-mates. Not happy in Oklahoma Kevin, Westbrook and others on the Thunder not as lovable as Draymond and Stephan, and Klay? And you were pressure free on making the move? Bull hockey Kevin. Bull hockey.
Add Kevin Durant’s remarks today reinforces my contention that Kevin did not get what he hoped Russell got in making his decision, which was consistent pressure of every one in his world. Poor Kevin. Yes, I believe KD thinks he made the right decision. He thinks. As for Westbrook? RW knows he made the right one. Just his unbridled enthusiasm today proved that. Russell Westbrook is a truly happy man. And loyalty does make the heart happy.. Durant continues to show the face of an actor trying to justify his decision to leave OKC. Hell, Kevin, do you think Russell is going to make a decision that allowed others to pressure him? You know Kevin, Russell made his own mind up. But you Kevin, did not, did you? Mother, brother, father, agent, whomever, pressured you and your mind was changed at the last moment because of that pressure.
Let it be Mr. Durant. You can’t even give Westbrook a call? You can’t look him in the face? Hell, you don’t really want to confront your disloyalty you have shown do you? Westbrook was a man you called brother. Yes Kevin Durant, you were a great brother to Russell Westbrook. Or were you? And did you do what you wanted, get what you wanted? Or was what you got was actually what your Mom wanted for you? Or what your brother wanted for you? Your handlers, such as the agent or Nike? I hope you are a happy man with all your new buddies and such on the in the Bay.. You say you made the decision. In any case, don’t run to mother and give her what for if you have buyers remorse.. Keep it to yourself and try to be a man.
Who would pressure Russell in staying in OKC? KD’s people pressured him. What a weird thing to say.