Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant blames himself for All-Star Game awkwardness with Russell Westbrook

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 2/17/18

Kevin Durant blamed himself for the awkwardness with his former teammate Russell Westbrook at last year’s All-Star Game.

Durant spoke with the media on Saturday at NBA All-Star Weekend. He was asked by KFOR’s Nikki Kay about his relationship with Westbrook this weekend compared to the All-Star Game last year. Durant acknowledged they’re doing better and that things were awkward last year in large part due to his mentality.

“I just got out of my own head and got out of my own way and stopped thinking it was even a thing,” Durant said. “I feel like I just made it a thing when it shouldn’t have been. It’s cool to kind of get past that and just appreciate these guys for who they are and what they do.”

Likewise, Westbrook was asked about being around Durant again and said it’s all been fine.

Russell Westbrook said he and Kevin Durant at All-Star are communicating: “All the other stuff is irrelevant. Just keeping it cool. Talking when we need to.” pic.twitter.com/onoQP6GxVw

— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) February 17, 2018

Durant is now in his second season with the Golden State Warriors after spending his entire career with the Thunder franchise (and teaming with Westbrook for all but one of those seasons). Both sides have moved on, though Durant kept some of the drama going during the offseason with some tweets about his old team.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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