Tuesday night's exchange of pleasantries between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook and Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard was the first in the seven years they've gone against each other in countless Western Conference battles. While it was an odd sight to witness, Lillard admits there's no love lost between the two, but the respect still remains.
“We ain’t best friends,” Lillard said, according to Jason Quick of The Athletic, “but I respect him and he respects me.”
Lillard recalled his back-and-forth with Westbrook during a 123-114 loss to the Thunder, but didn't make much of the rivalry between the two, claiming it's all for the sake of competition.
“We were talking, and we were cool,” Lillard said. “It’s just when we get on the court, it’s a battle, man. I know how he is, and he knows how I am. He’s stubborn like I’m stubborn. And he’s competitive like I’m competitive.”
Westbrook, always short of words, had the same to say.
“I like to compete. He likes to compete,” said Westbrook. “That’s it.”
With the Blazers a game shy of third place in the West, it won't be long before the two teams meet again, as one will come soon with a Feb. 11 tilt on the road that could bring out the best in Lillard.
“Me and him, we’ve played each other enough to know,” Lillard said, “that I’m going to come at you the same way you come at me.”
The night surely won't be short of fireworks as long as these two take this matchup as seriously as they have this season.
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