SAN FRANCISCO -- Russell Westbrook swaggered into Oakland's Oracle Arena wearing an orange photographer's vest Thursday night. The Watch Suicide Squad Onlinecurious bit of attire was understandably interpreted by most as a passive-aggressive dig at Kevin Durant.
Durant, of course, is the former Oklahoma City teammate who spurned Westbrook and the Thunder for the Golden State Warriors as a free agent last season. But Durant happens to be a photo hobbyist in addition to being an NBA demigod -- hence Westbrook's orange vest.
With his WWE-esque entrance Thursday, Westbrook heated the most anticipated early-season matchup in recent NBA memory to a boil before it even began. Those waters, however, would soon prove too hot.
Durant has been a target of thinly veiled public digs from Westbrook since signing with Golden State on July 4. There was the Instagrammed photo of cupcakes, interpreted to mean Durant was soft for joining a super-team. There were curt quips to the media. There were advertisements playing on his supposedly newfound freedom.
Then, of course, there was the orange vest.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
All told, there was enough for SB Nationto put together a compendium of Westbrook's slights before Thursday night's big showdown in Oaktown. Thunder forward Enes Kanter, meanwhile, was more open about taking shots at the departed Durant via social media.
But by the time Kanter was seen on TV Thursday night talking actual trash to Durant from the bench in Oakland, the bitterness seemed more impotent than entertaining. Durant, by that point, had already laid waste to his former teammates after four months of chirping.
His first-half highlights speak for themselves.
Golden State's new star proved two things in his 29-point first half Tuesday night:
For all their combined brilliance in Oklahoma City -- and for all the old questions about whose teamthe Thunder were then -- the simple fact is that Durant has always been in a class above Westbrook as a basketball player.
Westbrook and Kanter's antagonism just might have ignited a rivalry whose flames they'll regret stoking for some time to come.
"They’re going to want to beat him really bad," Warriors forward Draymond Green said before the Durant-Thunder matchup. "He’s going to want to beat them really bad. In turn, we’re going to want to beat them really bad because we want him to beat them really bad."
Beat the Thunder "really bad" is exactly what Durant and the Warriors did in dealing Oklahoma City its first loss of the season. The final score was an uncouth 122-96. Durant finished with 39 points on 63 percent shooting while tying his career high of seven three-pointers.
After that seventh three-pointer, Durant was caught on camera delivering a message that seemed directed to Westbrook, Kanter and the army of critics lined up behind them: You keep talking, and I'll keep scoring.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
In the Thunder locker room after the beatdown, Westbrook addressed reporters. This time, however, video from the scene shows he neglected to don his orange photographer's vest.
"We'll see 'em again," Westbrook said in reference to three more meetings between the Thunder and Warriors during the regular season.
Indeed they will. The two teams next face-off on Jan. 18 -- a date already circled on the calendar of every NBA fan who prefers their basketball served with a side of drama.
Boeing's new VR simulator immerses astronauts in space training
Best AR glasses deal: Get the Viture One XR glasses for $50 off
Artworks in the Room Where I Write by Diane Williams
García Márquez’s Five Favorite Cocktail Stories by Santiago Mutis Durán
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: $40 off at Amazon
Wordle today: The answer and hints for December 14
Redux: Helpless Failed Brake by The Paris Review
9 Cyber Monday air fryer deals: Instant Pot Vortex, more
Amazon Pet Day: All the best deals
'Who's that wonderful girl?' Behind the viral 'Nanalan' TikTok trend
How to Squeeze the Most Out of Your iPhone's Battery
Redux: Another Joke
'The Crown' Season 6, Part 2 review: A slow, sullen march to the end
The Real Pirates of the Caribbean by Michael Scott Moore
Virtual Reality: The True Cost of Admission (and Why It Doesn't Matter)
Blue Alabama by Imani Perry
This browser has a new ‘Panic Button’ that saves you from getting caught red
NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 14
Virtual Reality: The True Cost of Admission (and Why It Doesn't Matter)
Redux: Another Joke
Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for June 18Happy March 21 by Sadie SteinOur Books Lack Feelings, and Other News by Sadie SteinJoe Biden flexes shiny new .gov address, Twitter very much approvesTrump finally emerged to speak at a hilariously tiny desk, and the internet had jokesChinua Achebe Dies, and Other News by Sadie SteinJoe Biden flexes shiny new .gov address, Twitter very much approvesThe best video games of 2023 (so far)We Have a Winner! by Sadie SteinDiego, Frida, and Me by Molly CrabappleShow Us Your Soulful Side to Win a Briefcase by Sadie SteinThe Underground Library by Sadie SteinApple is trying to trademark depictions of actual applesSave the Date: The Paris Review Revel by The Paris Review'Lord of the Rings' actors form fellowship to try and buy Tolkien's old houseThe Underground Library by Sadie SteinMeghan Markle pens powerful opPapal Abdication: A Potpourri of Popery by Mike Duncan and Jason NovakElijah Returns by Max RossTo test for the real coronavirus, scientists made a fake sample Google Doodle celebrates the life and legacy of first Native American female engineer Thousands of people petition to have LeBron James replace Betsy DeVos as secretary of education Hackers just arrived at DEF CON and they're already breaking Vegas Weird Al Yankovic joined Weezer on stage for a cover of Toto's 'Africa' Special edition of 'Smash Ultimate' comes with a GameCube controller You're probably trying to swipe way out of your league on dating apps Riots on the streets of Buenos Aires after Argentina votes against legalising abortion Samsung unveils the stylish Galaxy Watch, with an emphasis on fitness Oscars add new category for 'popular film,' but what does that mean? Some people are not happy about Nigel Farage's victory speech Brexit: These conservative dudes all look a lot like Trump Horrified people still managed to make Brexit memes Brexit: British researchers worried about brain drain Scotland's major political leaders snubbed Donald Trump during his golf course visit Police officers pop the question during London Pride parade Australians are exploiting a little Oppo's F9 phone has the most beautiful notch you've ever seen Democrats end sit The Philips Hue Adore Mirror wants to upgrade your bathroom setup Wildfire smoke from California has reached New York City
2.473s , 8223.84375 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Watch Suicide Squad Online】,Co-creation Information Network