From one Thunder legend to another, Kevin Durant posted a heartfelt message Thursday to his longtime teammate Russell Westbrook, who on Wednesday announced that he was retiring from the NBA after 18 seasons.
Durant started with a conversation he had with 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 on X.
Cheeks told Durant that working out before practice was probably harder.
MUSSATTO: Russell Westbrook's No. 0 was more than number. It was OKC Thunder beginnings
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
“Since then, it’s been my routine,” Durant wrote. “A lot of people looked at the emotions on the court and thought Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical. 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.
“I don’t care what happens, can’t erase what it was …The first YNs, 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 Luezinger High and ucla and many more that I’m forgettin’, much love and congratulations on (an) iconic career.”
Durant and Westbrook were teammates for eight seasons in Oklahoma City. They led the Thunder to four conference finals appearances, and one NBA Finals appearance, in a six-year stretch.
CARLSON: Russell Westbrook retires from NBA forever beloved as OKC Thunder icon
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Kevin Durant writes retirement message to Russell Westbrook: 'Keep inspiring'