Kobe Bryant reportedly spent the 2012 Olympics trash-talking Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Durant had just led the NBA in scoring. Durant’s and Westbrook’s Thunder beat Bryant’s Lakers in the second round en route to the NBA Finals and were clearly a rising power. But Los Angeles added Dwight Howard and Steve Nash and still planned to compete.
The Lakers didn’t hold up. Nash was washed up. Howard struggled through injury then left after only one year. Bryant’s health soon deteriorated.
But Oklahoma City never fulfilled its promise, either. Westbrook grew into a bigger role – which created many awkward moments when he dominated the ball as the more-efficient Durant stood off to the side.
In 2016, Durant – reportedly frustrated with Westbrook hogging the ball and clogging spacing – left the Thunder for the Warriors. Durant said he was tired of being the team’s only player who could reliably shoot jumpers.
What a classic Kobe story.