Russell Westbrook signs a 3 year, $85M deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, just under one month of his former teammate Kevin Durant signing with the team that beat OKC in the Western Conference Finals – the Golden State Warriors.

KD was probably the second highest coveted free agent of the past decade, superseded by Lebron James (I'm classifying 'The Decision' and 'The Decision 2.0' in the same category; strictly talking players here). His career in OKC was shadowed recently by his impending contract expiration at the conclusion of the 2016 season. Even though he himself had stated, "I love my teammates, I love the city. I don't really think about anywhere else" (thunder.clutchpoints.com). He talked about having his jersey retired one day as a member of the Thunder, and how Westbrook was one of his best friend's and teammates. He was the superstar of the Western Conference, and was the number 2 guy in the NBA (behind the King once again). It seemed as though KD would ink a long term deal with OKC, get his money and deepen the roots he had been forming. He was just waiting until the season had wrapped up to do so. But then the Thunder blew a 3-1 Western Conference finals series to the hot-handed Warriors and a newly born superstar in Steph Curry.

Oklahoma City. Golden State. Boston. Los Angeles. Durant had options. He was going to get a max contract regardless, and had stated that his decision would be based upon who he would be playing with. But he had been reported to be staying in OKC, with all the major ESPN reporters saying "90% percent decided that he is staying." But he met with the Los Angeles Clippers, and the meeting "went very well." So social media jumped on that. Then a meeting with Tom (GOAT) Brady and the Celtics in the Hamptons opened up that possibility, which was even more intriguing because just before Boston had signed Al Horford.

But he decided on the Fourth of July that he would start next season in a gold, blue, and white jersey; the Warriors.

"Loyalty is something I stand by." - Russell Westbrook

Durant is a villain. A coward. He chose to tarnish his reputation for the pursuit of success. Now when Lebron left for Miami we hated him, but he came back. The thing is; Durant left for the enemy, a blunt traitor. Golden State beat the Thunder in the playoffs and now signed the second best player in the world according to some.

I had said that the friendship between Kevin and Russell would never be the same after this. Durant abandoned the team that made him a superstar, and left Westbrook to pick up the pieces. So Russell, the competitor that he is, accepted the challenge, and inked a 3 year deal to stay. I wouldn't be surprised if he averaged 40 points and a triple-double over the first ten games. MVP watch for sure. He's playing this year with an added intensity, an added drive, an extra element of anger and ferocity.

Westbrook has his team now. Watch out Golden State, Russell is hunting for you.

Doesn't help that Klay Thompson was quoted saying, "I ain't sacrificing (bleep) for KD."

This is going to be interesting