Kevin Durant said he has no regrets on the Thunder’s season. ( Layne Murdoch/Getty Images)

The day after the Oklahoma City Thunder were ousted early from the 2012 NBA Playoffs, star forward Kevin Durant vowed to learn from the season and not dwell on whether it was a waste.

In his exit interview on Thursday, Durant was asked whether he thought the season was a waste because the Thunder didn’t win a championship. His reaction did not mirror that of Kobe Bryant, who once said after a playoff exit that any season without a championship was for nothing.

“Nothing’s ever a wasted year for me. It’s basketball,” Durant said, according to DailyThunder.com. “I’ve grown so much as a man since the beginning of the season. I’ve grown so much as a leader. Nothing is ever wasted. Of course the ultimate goal in this league is to win a championship. But I’m never going to say I wasted a year.”

After point guard Russell Westbrook’s injury, the Thunder struggled to get past the Houston Rockets in the first round before falling to the Grizzlies in five games. Last season, the Thunder played for an NBA championship against the Miami Heat.

There was only so much Durant could do to carry the load without Westbrook. In 45.8 minutes per game during the five-game series with the Grizzlies, he averaged 28.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists.

“I’m going to be who I’m going to be. I’m not Kobe Bryant, I’m not Michael Jordan, not LeBron James, not Magic Johnson. I’m me,” Durant said. “I’m not going to ever compromise myself or my integrity or what I believe in to win some basketball games or to win a championship. That’s just how I was brought up.

“I’m always going to fight for the game I love. I’m going to claw until the last buzzer sounds. If that’s after the championship, then of course I’ll be happy. I’m not satisfied just being in this league and losing.”

Russell Westbrook will be on crutches for the next month. (Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook said Thursday that he will be on crutches for the next four to five weeks as he recovers from surgery two weeks ago to repair cartilage in his right knee, according to a report on NBA.com. It was the All-Star guard’s first interview since undergoing the surgery on April 27, which is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the playoffs.

The Thunder are currently tied 1-1 with the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round of the playoffs, and in Westbrook’s absence, Reggie Jackson has seen increased playing time in the backcourt. The sophomore guard played 44 minutes, logging 17 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds in the series-clinching win against the Houston Rockets May 3.

Westbrook said during the interview that it’s disappointing to have to watch rather than play, but said he is trying to help in other ways. Although he’s still in the early stages of rehab, he is expected to be ready to play when next season gets underway in the fall.

Thunder guard Russell Westbrooks attempts to get up after being injured in Game 2 against the Rockets. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Tensions are already high in the Oklahoma City Thunder-Houston Rockets series going into Game 3 on Saturday night.

Since the Thunder announced that guard Russell Westbrook would be out for the remainder of the playoffs with a torn meniscus, Rockets guard Patrick Beverley has been getting his share of criticism via social media. It was Beverley who ran into Westbrook going for a steal in the second quarter of the Thunder’s Game 2 105-102 victory. Westbrook stayed in the game and played 37 minutes, scoring 29 points. The Thunder lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

According to the Houston Chronicle, a ballboy for the Thunder sent death threats to Beverley via Twitter, but then later deleted those tweets. Even Thunder head coach Scott Brooks and forward Kevin Durant defended Beverley saying it wasn’t a dirty play.

From the Houston Chronicle:

The vitriol about the play in which Thunder star Russell Westbrook was hurt has escalated to death threats directed at Rockets guard Patrick Beverley, including one from someone that describes himself as a Thunder ballboy.

Mitchell Brown sent a tweet that threatened, “Patrick Beverly (sic), I’m coming to kill you.” He sent another using Beverley’s Twitter handle; “@pavbev21 I’m coming to kill you.”

Capt. Dexter Nelson, a spokesman for the Oklahoma City Police Department, said officers in conjunction with the Houston Police Department and the NBA are looking into what he described as “Internet threats.”

Thunder spokesperson Matt Tumbleson said, “We do not condone his comments. He works game nights on a voluntary basis. We will handle this matter internally.”

Shortly after Thunder officials were told of the tweets, Brown deleted them with an apology:

“Yesterday I posted something completely Inappropriate and I need to apologize. I was out of line and it will not happen again.”

He later removed that tweet and instead said his account was hacked.

“@patbev21 yesterday someone tweeted on my account making a death threat towards you and it wasn’t me. I apologize.”

Russell Westbrook will sit indefinitely for a meniscus tear in his right knee. (John W. McDonough/SI)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook will undergo surgery for a meniscus tear in his right knee, the team announced Friday.

Westbrook is out indefinitely and there is no timetable for his return. Westbrook has never previously missed a game in his four NBA seasons.

Westbrook was injured in the second quarter of Game 2 in their first-round series with the Houston Rockets when Rockets guard Patrick Beverley lunged into him trying for a steal and his hip collided with Westbrook’s knee.

Westbrook was obviously upset and limped around for a couple of minutes but stayed in the game. Westbrook ending up playing 37 minutes, scoring 29 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The Thunder went on to win the game 105-102 to take a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 is Saturday night in Houston.

“Our players’ health is our first and foremost concern. The Thunder’s medical team and several specialists we consulted with determined that Russell undergo a procedure to address the issue,” said Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “We have thoroughly discussed this with Russell. Despite being the competitor and teammate that he is, he respects and understands the decision and is committed to come back even stronger.”

John Wall thinks he’s the NBA’s fastest player; he considered Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Mike Conley and Ty Lawson to be quick also. (David Liam Kyle/Getty Images)

Wizards point guard John Wall told the Washington Post he considered himself to be the NBA’s speediest player. After the team’s 103-80 loss to the Thunder on Wednesday night, Wall made comparisons between Russell Westbrook’s style of play and his own.

From the Washington Post report:

“I think we are both young, athletic, fast point guards,” Wall said. “That’s very rare that you see that in this league. I’m trying to take the same steps that he took to become an all-star. I give a lot of credit to how he is working and how is helping his team win.”

But when asked if he thought Westbrook was the fastest player in the league, Wall replied,

“No, I’m going to say myself….There’s a couple fast guys in this league. He’s up there, Derrick [Rose] is up there, when he’s healthy. Mike Conley’s pretty quick. It’s different guys. Ty Lawson’s quick. So there’s a lot of guys, but I put myself first. Just for fun.”

Wall, 22, is averaging 16.8 points, 7.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game so far this season.

Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook agreed to a multi-year endorsement deal with Nike’s Jordan Brand, the company announced on Thursday. Michael Jordan commented on the new addition:

“We are very excited to welcome Russell to the Jordan family,” said Jordan. “Russell’s style, both on and off the court, combined with his love and dedication to the game make him a perfect fit for the Jordan Brand.  We love the drive and passion for basketball that Russell brings.”

Many thought Westbrook would end up choosing Adidas, which he also considered. Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony also endorse the Jordan Brand; Dwayne Wade recently left the brand to join Li-Ning.

After a 10-month hiatus from Twitter, Westbrook tweeted about the deal:

Twitter family immmm backkk and Officially #TeamJordan @Jumpman23 Ready to come fly with me?? #whynot

lockerz.com/s/252234281—
Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) October 11, 2012

James Harden wants to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder and keep its core, including Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, together. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

James Harden wants to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a long time. The question is whether the Thunder can afford him and the rest of its young core.

Harden, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, said in exit interviews Saturday that “a dynasty is being built” in Oklahoma City, when asked whether money or team success was more important for him in the future, The Oklahoman‘s Darnell Mayberry reported.

Harden is eligible to sign a long-term extension to his rookie contract with the Thunder on July 1. Thunder general manager Sam Presti will have to get creative to be able to keep the team’s core — which, along with Harden, consists of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka — together to keep building that dynasty.

Ibaka is also eligible for an extension this offseason. Durant and Westbrook are already locked up to maximum contracts, and some see Harden as a player with potential to earn a maximum contract. Presti has one advantage — Harden wants to stay.

“This is something special here,” Harden told reporters. “A dynasty is being built here. So we’re winning, we’re having fun and we’re brothers. The other stuff, you can’t buy it.”

Coming off the bench for all but two games this season, Harden averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He was stellar in the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs, but underwhelmed in the Finals loss to the Miami Heat, averaging 12.4 points on 37 percent shooting.

“This team is like a family,” Harden said. “Like, we’re really brothers. We hang out most of the time every single day. You won’t find any other team like this. I love it here.”

Kevin Durant’s mom, Wanda Pratt, thinks her son could go down as the best player in NBA history. (Layne Murdoch/Getty Images)

Kevin Durant’s mother, Wanda Pratt, didn’t hesitate when asked whether she thinks her son could challenge Michael Jordan as the greatest player in NBA history. “Of course I do,” she said in an appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday morning.

The question of whether a 23-year-old in his first NBA Finals could go down as the game’s best player is of course premature –  some would say absurd — but Pratt quickly backed her son on that and other questions posed to her.

Durant and his mom are famously close. Pratt lived with Durant during his rookie year, and he was fine with it. “She can make me a better person and make the transition easier,” he said at the time, “so why not?”

On Wednesday, Pratt was also asked to make a predication on what Oklahoma City, which won Game 1 over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, will do in the NBA Finals. She kept her response simple: “Win.”

When pressed on how many games the Thunder would need, she would only answer, “As many as they need to (win).”

Durant and teammate Russell Westbrook have received attention for their post-game attire. Durant, toting his backpack, sports a look that has been called “geek chic” and “nerd swag.” His mother approves, telling him: ”Finally, I wanted you to dress like this from the beginning.”

As for Westbrook, who has worn some unusual shirts to his press conferences, ”The shirts, I think they work for him.”

Oklahoma Thunder superstar Kevin Durant told the Oklahoman that his team is better when point guard Russell Westbrook shoots the ball.

“We’re worse when I take more shots (than Westbrook),” Durant told the paper in response to ESPN analyst Skip Bayless criticizing Westbrook’s shoot first mentality. “Like I said, that guy (Bayless) doesn’t know a thing. I don’t think he watches us. I think he just looks at the stats. And traditionally, a point guard is not supposed to take more shots than everybody else on the team. But we’re better when he does do that and he’s aggressive. And I’m better when I’m out there facilitating, rebounding, defending and being more efficient on my shots with less shots.”

Looking at the NBA’s point per possession, the Thunder have one of the most effective and efficient offenses in the league. The Oklahoman also points out that the team is 20-4 when Westbrook takes more shots than Durant.

Durant is currently averaging 27.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 8.2 rebounds, where as Westbrook is averaging  24.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.4 rebounds.

The debate has raged this season over the “alpha dog” issue in Oklahoma City. Who’s the best player on the West-leading Thunder — is it Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook?

Durant has an answer to that question… or rather, a non-answer.

“Hey, my man, I’ve got a question for you,” Durant told Matt Steinmetz of CSN Bay Area. “Why does everyone want to talk about who the best player is on our team, whether it’s me or Russell? Why does everyone worry about that?”

Controversy surrounding the Thunder’s two leaders has flared up since a Dec. 28 incident when the two had to be separated during an intense in-game shouting match. Durant, however, has no interest in the debate.

“I mean, we’re on the same team, Russell and me, so what does it matter? Who cares whether he’s better than me or I’m better than him?”

Regardless of who’s better, the two young stars have led the Thunder to the best record in the NBA at 15-3. Durant has done his part with 25.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game; Westbrook has chipped in 20.4, 4.7 and 5.6.

Update – 1:10 p.m.: Yahoo! has reported that Westbrook’s contract is for five-years, $80 million. The agreement will begin at the start of next season.

Original: Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook has signed a five-year, $78 million contract according to Yahoo! Sports.

Russell Westbrook has signed a five-year, $78 million-plus max extension with Oklahoma City, league sources tell Y! Sports. Story soon on Y!

—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 19, 2012

The fourth-year guard has quickly emerged as one of the most talented scoring point guards in the league. Last season the 23-year-old averaged 21.9 points and 8.2 assists per game for the up-and-coming Thunder. By locking up Westbrook for five-years, Oklahoma City now have both their starting point guard as well as superstar forward Kevin Durant under team control for the next four seasons.

Through 15 games this season, Westbrook has averaged 20.5 points and 5.5 assists per game. The Thunder are currently 12-3, which is the best record in the Western Conference.

Russell Westbrook was nowhere to be seen after his awful effort against the Grizzlies last night. After shooting 0-for-13 and having to be separated from Kevin Durant during a heated shouting match, Westbrook bolted from the FedEx Forum without speaking to the media.

Then tonight, he finally spoke about his little dustup with his superstar teammate.

“It’s a part of the game,” Westbrook told ESPN Dallas prior to tonight’s game against the Mavericks. “It never was meant to spill over, so it wasn’t like I did it on purpose to spill over. I was just telling [Thabo Sefolosha] to shoot the ball when he was open. It wasn’t like I was telling him something wrong to do. I’m telling my guy to shoot the ball, and then the rest of what was happening had nothing to do with that play. You never get the full story unless you were there to see exactly what happened.”

Durant and coach Scott Brooks both downplayed the incident, saying the team was frustrated about letting the Grizzlies whittle their 11-point lead down to three. Both maintained that the argument was a minor issue that should be dropped.

“It was nothing that anybody should be blowing out of proportion,” Durant said. “It happens every single day.”