Kevin Durant Admits Thunder Need and Miss Russell Westbrook


Stating the obvious, Kevin Durant told the media that he and the rest of the OKC Thunder badly miss their injured star point guard. Facing elimination against the Memphis Grizzlies, Durant’s one-man show hasn’t been enough. Per the Oklahoman: “Kevin Durant knew full well what he had in sidekick Russell Westbrook. Still, that hasn’t stopped Westbrook’s absence from making Durant’s heart grow fonder for his All-Star point guard. Durant on Monday was asked what he’s learned about himself while playing without the injured Westbrook. ‘That we need him,’ Durant said. ‘We miss him.’ Durant entered Game 4 against Memphis averaging 34 points, 10.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocked shots in seven games without Westbrook, who recently underwent season-ending knee surgery. But the Thunder was 3-4 in those games. ‘Guys have got to step up now,’ Durant said. ‘I think I’ve taken more of a load of scoring and facilitating and rebounding. But of course when you have your All-Star out we miss him. But it’s no excuse. We still got to get the job done.'”