On Sunday night, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder will begin their quest for an NBA title with a familiar face standing in their way. After an impressive first year under head coach Mike D'Antoni where they finished with a 55-27 record, the Houston Rockets will look for James Harden to lead his current team past his former squad. Even though Harden is the ex-OKC teammate that Westbrook actually likes these days, once these two teams get on the hardwood, everyone on the Rockets is his enemy, including The Beard.
"When I get on the floor, I got one friend, and that's the basketball," Westbrook said, per ESPN. "I've been like that since I was a little kid. My dad told me that when I was younger, 'You got one friend and your friend is Spalding.' At the time maybe it was Wilson or some other shit. Whatever the ball is, that's who my friend is."
Westbrook and Harden have known each other since they were 10 years old, competing against one another at the same Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles. Even after a trade sent Harden to Houston in 2012, they have maintained a strong friendship, calling and texting each other throughout the season. During this year's All-Star Game festivities, both were inseparable. They sat together for the team photo.
They were the only Western Conference All-Stars to practice on one side of the court together.
All that camaraderie is thrown out the window tonight.
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