NBA Rumors: Durant and Westbrook Saga Is a Repeat of Garnett and Marbury

Kevin Durant is a small market team's dream. An elite talent, with top-notch drive, but a small town personality. Russell Westbrook is not that type of guy. While many call the recent blowup, just a small bump in the road, I've seen this movie before.

This is very similar to the Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury pairing in Minnesota. That one lasted two and a half seasons. Garnett, before he turned into the mean, old, surly baller he is now, was much like Durant. He was a immensely talented, young big man with a small town mentality, playing in a small market and carrying the team. He was committed to winning in Minnesota. When the T'Wolves traded for Marbury, a dynamic point guard from Georgia Tech on draft day, it seemed like a perfect match.

After early success, the relationship between the two young stars fell apart. The biggest issue was that Marbury wanted more than to be Garnett's wing man. He wanted to carry the load, and the two, while at one time seemed very close, ultimately grew apart. Marbury's agent, David Falk demanded a trade, after Marbury had issue with his role in the offense and his contract as it compared to Garnett's. He was moved to the New Jersey Nets.

Kevin McHale, who was then the general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves, said this of Marbury's position on playing with Garnett:

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Stephon Marbury expressed some real concern that he wouldn't be able to make the kind of money that Kevin Garnett makes, and that was kind of bothersome to him.

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Flip Saunders, who was the head coach, further detailed Marbury's reasoning:

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He said, "Hey, Flip, it's business. Right now, whether it is right or wrong, I have a tough time playing with (Garnett) and having to play where (Garnett) makes the amount of money he makes, and I'm only going to make $71 million."

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Garnett had just signed an astronomical deal, much like the extension Durant inked last season. Marbury's extension time had come up, and a new collective bargaining agreement was limiting his salary to a maximum of $71 million over six years. His contract situation was much like the one Westbrook is approaching this offseason.

One difference is that Westbrook can actually make more than Durant, if he makes second team all-NBA this year. That comes thanks to the Derrick Rose rule for rewarding young players that outperform their rookie contracts. The way Wes has played thus far, second team All-NBA isn't a sure thing, though it is a possibility.

The comparisons run even deeper. Durant is from the east coast, but his personality is best suited for a community like Oklahoma City. Garnett was similar, in regards to being a low-maintenance player. Westbrook is from Long Beach, California, he went to UCLA, he is not a small town persona. That was also the case for Marbury, who hailed from Coney Island and was New York from head to toe.

It was only a matter of time before Starbury outgrew Minnesota and became disenchanted with playing second fiddle to Kevin Garnett. The same thing is happening with Westbrook and Durant. This isn't about their little argument on the sidelines, it's bigger.

It's about ego, money and spotlight, and it mostly falls on Westbrook. There doesn't need to be two egos involved to create an issue. One player's insecurity is enough, Marbury was proof of that.

These issues rear their head through coaches and system sometimes. Though that only camouflages the real issues. J.A. Adande of ESPN.com writes in his article entitled "Why Westbrook Won't Work in OKC" concerning coach Scott Brooks and Westbrook's commitment to the Thunder long term:

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If the Thunder do want Westbrook, it’s not a given that he wants to be there. He’s told friends he feels Thunder coach Scott Brooks blames him for losses, while the credit for victories goes to Durant. You also don’t hear Westbrook constantly profess his love of playing in a small market the way Durant does. 

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Kevin Durant recently said, "There's a lot of people that want to see us fail, but I love Russell Westbrook," in the interview is below:

No one really doubts Durant's feelings or commitment to work with Westbrook, but just like any relationship, it takes two. History tells me that Westbrook is not on the same page.

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