Since the summer of 2016 the relationship between Russell Westbrook and former OKC Thunder star and running mater Kevin Durant has been chilly at best. Although the frost melted a bit with the pair playing in the All-Star Game every subsequent meeting between the Warriors and Thunder re-ignited the feud.
Durant didn’t help the situation by constantly fueling the fodder. Cut to KD’s burner accounts and interaction with internet trolls. Worst, the constant conflicting statements about the precise timelines of his decision made the situation worse. Every time the narrative appeared to be dying down KD would say something which reignited the angst.