Kevin Durant Clashed With Russell Westbrook Over Damian Lillard Bullying at OKC Thunder Reveals Bucks Star

Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has disclosed that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook had conflicts over Westbrook’s efforts to intimidate Lillard during their time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, offering insight into past tensions.

During their time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook formed a formidable duo, intimidating their opponents and turning OKC into a dominant team. However, recent comments from Damian Lillard reveal that their partnership wasn’t without its issues, particularly regarding Westbrook’s behavior towards opponents.

On the Club 520 Podcast, Lillard shared that Westbrook had a tendency to try to intimidate him during games, describing Westbrook’s aggressive playing style as bordering on bullying. Surprisingly, Durant, Westbrook’s teammate at the time, was not supportive of this behavior. Lillard recounted how Westbrook would aggressively target him, regardless of the situation, and how Durant would become frustrated with Westbrook’s relentless approach, sometimes urging him to pass the ball instead.

Westbrook’s behavior didn’t sit well with Durant, who, according to Lillard, often showed his disapproval. Durant wasn’t inclined to endorse such unsportsmanlike conduct, leading to noticeable tension between the two teammates despite their success together.

Lillard recalled being on the receiving end of Westbrook’s intimidation tactics as a rookie, with the nine-time All-Star making every effort to outplay him. As Lillard gained more experience, he began to perceive Westbrook’s aggression as intentional, which spurred him to respond with equal intensity. This change in Lillard’s approach resulted in more intense confrontations between the two.

As Lillard matured, he learned to stand his ground against Westbrook’s aggressive play, matching his intensity in games. What particularly stood out to Lillard was Durant’s contrasting approach.

Durant’s frustration with Westbrook’s behavior highlighted his commitment to sportsmanship and his disapproval of bullying, regardless of the competitive nature of the game.

This anecdote provides insight into the intricate relationship between Durant and Westbrook during their time with the Thunder. Despite their dominance on the court, their differing views on how to approach the game were evident. Durant’s dissatisfaction with Westbrook’s tactics underscores that even highly successful teammates may not always align in their approach.

Ultimately, Durant’s influence on Lillard appears to have made a lasting impact. What are your thoughts on this perspective?

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