Lakers: Russell Westbrook Reacts to Kevin Durant Signing

May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates a score with point guard Russell Westbrook (0) in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates a score with point guard Russell Westbrook (0) in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Just like the rest of the league, the Los Angeles Lakers are carefully watching for telling signs about Russell Westbrook‘s future in Oklahoma City

Coming fresh off of rumors, and later denials, that Kevin Durant actually informed Russell Westbrook that he would be staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the latest has Westbrook, who could plausibly be the Lakers “unnamed trade target,” finally reacting to the news of his former teammate’s departure.

Reportedly, “both angry and hurt not only by Durant’s decision to leave but also because Durant didn’t even call to tell him personally,” according to Royce Young of ESPN, the newest video of Westbrook’s reaction does little to dissuade fans of otherwise.

https://twitter.com/Bballforeverfb/status/759077912381366272

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When asked “How do you feel about Durant, man,” the UCLA product’s subsequent reaction should come as no surprise. Only able to muster up an extremely sarcastic, robotic laugh that to me says, “Oh, I can’t wait until we play the Golden State Warriors this season,” it doesn’t seem like Westbrook is the type to let bygones be bygones.

Instead, it’s almost positive that he’ll attempt to use this “betrayal” as fuel to take his game to the next level. Westbrook has always played with a chip on his shoulder, so it will be interesting to see if this extra weight helps or harms his performance.

Some players, a la Kobe Bryant, play better angry, others crumble and fall under the pressure. And though Westbrook has shown what he can do when riled up, he’s also shown how out of control he can get as well.

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This clip doesn’t give off any indication to Westbrook’s future with the Oklahoma City Thunder or not, but it does suggest one thing, that wherever he does end up, his relationship with Kevin Durant is never going to be the same.

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