OKC Thunder in the news: KD still selling media on Westbrook friendship, and backs Irving’s trade request

Welcome to OKC Thunder – In the news for Saturday August 26 , featuring topical daily news on your favorite team.

To kick off the weekend OKC Thunder in the news looks at what’s turning heads about the squad and players. Today’s column focuses on player relationships and the potential for the big block bluster trade perhaps not happening. At the center of much of this column is former OKC Thunder star Kevin Durant who seemingly can’t get enough press coverage. Whether the Warriors, Westbrook or the current block bluster trade on the table KD had opinions on all topics.

Last season it’s arguable the top player related story centered on Kevin Durant leaving for the Warriors. More specifically, pundits jumped on the tension between Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Each time the OKC Thunder faced the Warriors the lead up to the event revisited the frosty relationship of the former teammates.  Between the shared lob in the All-Star game and KD’s post MVP comments about Westbrook there was reason to believe the angst ridden tension might be lessening. But is it?

OKC Thunder fans know the Brodie far too well to expect him to run out prior to a Warriors game with hugs and friendly banter. Rather, Thunder Nation will anticipate the same Westbrook they’ve grown accustomed to.

Durant still selling media on Westbrook friendship:

Current events had scribes assuming Kyrie Irving and LeBron James might provide  the driving  narrative this season. But, will their apparent  fractured relationship be the prominent story this season? Based on NBA.com it seems the Russ – KD narrative still trumps the interest of NBA fans. To that end, NBA’s shoot around  article focused on KD’s recent interview with Bill Simmons.

"On The Bill Simmons Podcast that posted Thursday, the Warriors star rejected the idea that his friendship with Westbrook ever ended.“I don’t think we ever stopped being friends,” Durant told Simmons. “We just stopped talking — but I don’t think we stopped being friends.”Simmons asked if KD and Westbrook are speaking again.“Not talking, nah, but I mean, I don’t think any… there’s no problems,” Durant said. “But I don’t think we ever stopped being friends.”"

Here’s the thing –Durant sure seems to be trying to sell this a little too aggressively. From his days in OKC fans know KD isn’t particular partial to negative publicity. The fact he believes he and Russ are still friends is somewhat perplexing. To wit, if you don’t speak to your best friend for over a year – do you still consider them your friend? Right- enough said.

Durant weighs in on Kyrie Irving:

It seems Kevin Durant has opinions on everyone’s relationship as he offered his perspective over Irving’s request for a trade.  Not surprisingly he sided with Irving wanting to play on a team where he had his own opportunity to be ‘the man’.  Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo provided insight on Durant’s comments about the Irving situation…

"“He did what he was supposed to do in Cleveland. It’s on to the next chapter,” Durant said of Irving. “I can really appreciate what he did. He stood up for himself. He showed a lot of courage, man, because it’s hard to take that type of criticism. When you just want to play ball. I feel him on that.”"

Given it was Durant’s Warriors who took out the Cavaliers and his continuing friendship with LeBron his next statement was all the more perplexing:

"“When you’re around LeBron James, there’s so much that comes with that. Outside distractions and conversations and just noise that just comes around, just from being around LeBron James. And Kyrie was at the point, like, ‘All right, we lost the championship. This whole season’s gonna be about if LeBron’s gonna leave or not. I’m ready for a new challenge.’ All that stuff kind of met at the pinnacle of why he wanted to leave.”"

Will Thomas hip stop Irving trade?

Speaking of fractured relationships – the big news Friday is the Celtics – Cavaliers trade may not be a fait accompli. Master NBA scribe Adrian Wojnarowski ran a series of tweets on Friday which put the trade into question. 

The first tweet announced  the possibility all was not well:

Next up Woj explained Thomas had undergone the physical and if he fails the trade could be null and void:

In a follow-up article on ESPN , Wojnarowski altered the view point the trade might not go through. Woj opined the deal could still progress regardless of Thomas’ health. This as Woj outlined was due to where the Cavs main interests lied. Specifically, the main thrust for the Cavaliers in the deal was the draft picks. So, if Thomas is deemed unhealthy Ainge could sweeten the deal by adding more draft picks.

"In the deal, Cleveland has placed the most value on the 2018 unprotected first-round pick that Boston controls from the Nets, league sources said. Instead of voiding the deal, Cleveland could potentially push for Boston to sweeten it — namely for another draft pick. For now, those are conversations still potentially to be had."

Film Festival – Steven Adams:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Thunderous Intentions scribe Gideon Lim continues his Film Festival series focusing on Steven Adams in this episode.

"Head coach Billy Donovan regularly ran plays for Adams to develop a rhythm, especially at the start of the game. But, through all the experimentation, the result was clear; Adams is most effective as a niche player. Perhaps, the niche could develop into a part-time post-up game. But, Adams was most certainly not ready to live up to the mantle as a secondary star."

For example, “plays” like these add to Steven Adams’ growing cult status with fans.

On the flipside, fans have also come to accept that fancy passing like this is not going to become his full-time occupation.

Lim’s intriguing look at Adams offers great insight into his potential particularly with the addition of Paul George and Patrick Patterson.  Make sure to check out Lim’s entire series which offers compelling insight into several OKC Thunder players.

That wraps up OKC Thunder In the News for August 26. Be sure to make OKC Thunder, In the News is part of your daily fix.