One of the most important things Kevin Durant picked up during his run with Team USA this summer is the role that team chemistry plays and how great actual friendships with fellow players can be.
Namely, the relationship between the Toronto Raptors backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, who have slowly become the most endearing bromance in the league.
Their relationship is quite unique and almost sibling-like, despite Lowry being three years older than DeRozan. The bond goes beyond the lines of the court, often going to movie showings together, doing late-night food runs and enjoying the wonders of clowning on each other every chance available.
Durant has sought that during his nine years in Oklahoma City, and eventually joined the Golden State Warriors in order to find an atmosphere and a system that resembled his basketball nirvana.
Raptors assistant coach Rex Kalamian has known Durant from their days together in OKC, and he received a text from Durant back in August, praising the bond between the All-Star backcourt.
“Your two guys are the best. I’m jealous of their relationship, the way they get along with each other and the way they play together. The way they enjoy each other, it’s great,” Durant texted Kalamian, who then told Chris O'Leary of the Toronto Star.
“I think it’s kind of what he wants,” Kalamian said of Durant. “He wants that bond with someone… and I think he’s going to find that (in Golden State). Early on in OKC, we had that.”
Durant's relationship with Russell Westbrook never reached that level as the Long Beach native had his own set of friends from high school that he stayed close with without bringing Durant into the circle.
“Kevin and Russell, they respect the heck out of each other, no question about it. They played well together, they work well together, they communicate, but I think the connection was lost a little bit for whatever reason,” Kalamian said.
Only time will tell if Durant can find a relationship just as special or close enough, but for now Lowry and DeRozan are still the bromance darlings of the NBA until further notice.
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