Russell Westbrook (0) and Kevin Durant (35) of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 24, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook grew up together in the NBA. Born just six weeks apart, Durant and Westbrook were drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder a year apart and spent eight years together as teammates, turning the Thunder from one of the league's worst teams into one that made the NBA Finals when their two big stars were still just 23 years old. When Westbrook, who is six weeks younger than Durant, announced his retirement Wednesday after 18 years in the NBA, it gave his friend time to reflect on their basketball journey together. In just his ninth post on Twitter since his burner account scandal in February, the current Houston Rockets star said he got his workout routine from Westbrook after a little insight from Basketball Hall of Famer and former Thunder assistant coach Maurice Cheeks. "I remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what's harder to do? Work out after practice or before? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice," Durant wrote. "Mo like, 'Coming in before practice is probably harder,'… since then, it's been my routine." Durant and Westbrook forever will be linked through their time together in Oklahoma City when the Thunder won just 24 games in their first season as a duo in 2008-09, then made it all the way to the NBA Finals where they lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in 2012. Although they had their similarities, with both being named league MVP while they were with the Thunder, they also were viewed as having distinct personalities with Durant seen as more reclusive - outside of social media - while Westbrook, who wore No. 0 for the Thunder and his one season with the Rockets, was seen as boisterous. However, Durant says that's not at all how he saw it.
I remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what's harder to do? Workout after practice or before?? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice. Mo like, "coming in before practice is probably… - Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 13, 2026 "A lot of people looked at the emotions on the court and thought Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical," Durant said. "He led by example and once the lights were bright, he let everything out and experienced pure freedom. It was inspiring as his teammate and everywhere I went, I seen it inspire people from all walks of life, crazy thing is, he didn't say much, he just showed up. For 18 years. This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent. Who u gonna be? We know what Zero was on … keep inspiring in the next phase of life champ." Durant and Westbrook made six playoff runs together as teammates, including four trips to the Western Conference finals, and teamed up in eight All-Star Games. "I don't care what happens, can't erase what it was," Durant wrote. "The first (young players) Finals run in our early 20s, All-Star Games, seeing each other get injured and bounce back, the bus rides, plane rides, card games, jokes and arguments, the whole thing, memorable!! … To the whole Westbrook family, Nina, the kids, mama Westbrook, big Russ, Ray, Donnell, everybody from Leuzinger High and UCLA and many more that I'm forgettin, much love and congratulations on a iconic career." Subscribe There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢. This article originally published at Rockets star Kevin Durant posts heartfelt tribute after Russell Westbrook's retirement.