On Thursday night, one of the most anticipated games of the season will take place as the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Oakland to face off against the Golden State Warriors for the first time since Kevin Durant decided to switch teams in July. The game will also mark the first time in their professional careers that Russell Westbrook and Durant will be on opposing teams.

The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski released a video essay the morning before the big matchup, pointing out what the game would mean for both superstars and also giving his forecast on how both teams will fare as the season progresses.

Wojnarowski made some good points especially on how deceiving the Thunder's unbeaten start is. Even if they have won four straight games so far, the lack of help Westbrook has been getting, especially on offense. will surely take its toll on the five-time All-Star.

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The Warriors, on the other hand, have won all three games after losing their first one and are slowly getting into their groove, which still makes them favorites to win the Western Conference, and arguably the NBA Finals, this season.

Possibly the most important thing Woj mentioned in the two-minute video was how both superstars have handled their respective situations. Westbrook has made it clear that he does not want to talk about his former partner-in-crime's decision to leave OKC and is only focused on winning. Durant though, has been very vocal in explaining his move to his new team and has not stopped doing so. It is quite noticeable that he is pleading his case whenever possible and trying to change the perception the fans have on him now. This is giving Westbrook a psychological advantage as he knows he is still in the head of his former teammate.

The game on Thursday is expected to be emotionally-charged as two of the most competitive players in the league go up against each other. And even if Westbrook said he is only treating the game like any other, KD sure said the opposite, and it it's hard to imagine the game being anything but special given everything that transpired between the two franchises and the two superstars over the summer.