Kevin Durant's Return Won't Stunt Russell Westbrook's Growth Next Season

There are plenty of reasons for Russell Westbrook to be concerned about next season, but the return of Kevin Durant shouldn't be one of them. With a (hopefully) healthy Durant back in the lineup, Westbrook will shoulder less of the load and new head coach Billy Donovan will find ways to bring the best out of both men. 

The past two seasons have been rough on the Oklahoma City Thunder and its dynamic duo. Multiple knee surgeries kept Westbrook out for most of 2013-14, opening the door for Durant to win MVP. Last year, Durant's problematic foot held him to just 27 games, allowing Westbrook to put together one of the best statistical efforts in recent memory: 28.1 points, 8.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game.

He also notched nine of his league-leading 11 triple-doubles in the second half as he attempted to will the Thunder into the postseason by himself. 

Durant and Westbrook alternating the role of one-man wrecking crew in back-to-back years may have led to gaudy numbers, but it also took a toll on them individually. Without Westbrook, Durant led the league with a usage rate of 33 percent in 2013-14. Westbrook followed suit last season with a ridiculous 38.4 percent, which was 3.7 percent higher than the second-place finisher Dwyane Wade. OKC can't rely on that formula for sustainable success.

As CBSSports' Matt Moore points out, absence should make the pair grow stronger as the league's best one-two punch reunites next season.

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Both Durant and Westbrook have seen what it's like without the other one. Durant had to try and carry his team against the Grizzlies' stifling defense in 2013, and learned how aggravating that can be. Westbrook put up astronomical numbers with Durant on the shelf last year, exhausting him and costing him wins, defensive energy, and the playoffs. The two probably have a greater understanding of the other's value than they have ever shared, having had to carry the burden alone. Those things help with balancing chemistry.

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Now, with Durant back, Westbrook can focus his energy on becoming a two-way force supported by KD, Serge Ibaka, Enes Kanter and Co.  

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Durant and Westbrook have shared a close bond both on and off the court. Durant's admiration for his All-Star point guard was evident in his MVP speech from last May (transcript courtesy of the Oklahoman). 

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I could speak all night about Russell. An emotional guy who will run through a wall for me. I don’t take it for granted. There’s days when I just want to tackle you and tell you to snap out of it sometimes, but I know there’s days when you want to do the same thing with me. I love you, man. I love you. A lot of people put unfair criticism on you as a player and I’m the first to have your back, man, though it all. Just stay the person you are. Everybody loves you here. I love you. I thank you so much, man.

You make me better. You know, your work ethic, I always want to compete with you. I always want to pull up in the parking lot of the arena, or the practice facility, and if you beat me there I was always upset. I always wanted to outwork you. You set the bar. You set the tone. Thank you so much, man. Thank you. You have a big piece of this. You’re an MVP-caliber player. It’s a blessing to play with you, man.

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Fast-forward a little over a year later, where KD is making the transition from humble Most Valuable Player to determined comeback kid. 

Durant finished last season's abbreviated campaign with a very KD-like stat line: 25.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 51 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from behind the arc. However, the extended time on the sidelines made him look rusty, and the game's most dangerous rhythm scorer struggled to find a consistent groove. 

Now, Durant is on tap to return to the court next month following an admitted three months of inactivity. He's going to need to get back into playing shape, and after that, he'll have to get re-acclimated to his new surroundings with new teammates, a new scheme and a brand-new head coach.

In an interview with Daily Thunder's Royce Young during a summer league visit in Orlando, Durant said he's still on track to return to the court in August, but that the time away led to him putting on a few extra pounds. 

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I think I gotta lose some weight, to be honest. But I've been putting in a lot of work in the weight room. I haven't moved at all for 12 or 13 weeks, so last week was really the first time I've got on the court and dropped some sweat. 

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In other words, even if Durant is pain-free to start the season, it might take some time before he returns to the KD of old. That means Westbrook will likely have to take charge until Durant finds his footing (no pun intended) and is able to make plays like this. 

It's also worth noting that, while Westbrook climbed a few rungs up the NBA ladder last year in Durant's absence, he was still one of the game's best players with KD by his side. Three of Westbrook's four most productive seasons came while sharing the rock with his MVP teammate. 

Year	FG %`	3PT %	PPG	APG	RPG
2014-15	42.6	29.9	28.1	8.6	7.3
2012-13	43.8	32.3	23.2	7.4	5.2
2011-12	45.7	31.6	23.6	5.5	4.6
2010-11	44.2	33.0	21.9	8.2	4.6

That's somehow supposed to change next season? 

Additionally, the switch from the iso-heavy scheme of Scott Brooks to Donovan's emphasis on ball movement will put less pressure on the duo to create for themselves while theoretically getting more help from others.

In his introductory press conference, the former Florida coach expressed his desire to move the ball around, which is in contrast to the Brooks era when Durant and Westbrook were tasked with doing most of the heavy lifting, per Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman.

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That’s what I really believe in, ball movement, player movement, extra pass. If you’ve got (a shot) and someone’s got a better one, move the ball. And creating multiple actions on different sides of the floor, keeping the floor moving, keeping it spaced and the ball continuing to move. Playing fast, moving and playing into a flow on offense. Playing out of concepts, not trying to stop the game and trying to call a play every time, but let those guys create and make plays inside the framework of that vision of player movement, ball movement, making the extra pass and being unselfish.

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The key words—"playing fast"—would seem to work to Westbrook's benefit, as he's proven to be half-man, half-locomotive when in the open court. Russ also shouldn't have trouble being unselfish since he's finished in the top five in total assists four times during his seven-year career.

Westbrook's career assist percentage of 37.6 percent is also fourth among active players and 12th-best of all time, per Basketball-Reference.

Stacy Bengs/Associated Press

Donovan's emphasis on creating space will also help Durant, who had an effective field-goal percentage (adjusted metric that includes the added value of three-point shots) of 58.3 percent on open shots and a ridiculous 78.7 percent when he was wide open last season, per NBA.com.

In his own interview with Young, Donovan stressed the need to play to his two best players' strengths and not try to change what makes them great. 

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The one thing that I don't want to with Kevin and/or Russell, is they've got to play to their identity and who they are, and trying to create an environment for them to go out and be who they are is very important to me.

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With Donovan committed to bringing out the best in his two superstars, both should grow under the new system. Durant's return will only support the evolving game of Westbrook, who showed he was capable of doing more than most expected last season without Durant by his side. There is no doubt they can achieve greatness together.

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have both achieved individual success playing the alpha-dog role while the other has been sidelined. However, while the solo act has been great for the stats, the truth is they both need each other to achieve their ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.

With Durant making his triumphant return from a bone-graft procedure on his right foot and Westbrook coming off the best season of his career, the time is now for the two to come together and create something special. 

As Durant is due to hit free agency next summer and Westbrook the year after that, the clock is ticking increasingly louder in Oklahoma City. 

All stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com, unless otherwise noted.