Enes Kanter Recalls A Time When He Was Legitimately Scared Of Russell Westbrook And His Ruthless Competitiveness

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Since entering the league a decade ago, Russell Westbrook has earned the reputation of being one of the most ruthless competitors in the game. He plays all 82 contests with a personal vendetta, prompting Kobe Bryant to call him “the closest one to me in terms of playing with a chip on your shoulder.” The seven-time All Star cares as much about fraternizing with opponents as Charles Barkley cares for golf mechanics. Westbrook holds grudges like my ex did after I missed our anniversary to get blind drunk for Thursday Night Football.

Knicks center Enes Kanter spent two seasons for the OKC Thunder under the Russell Westbrook regime and during his appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Monday, the 26-year-old Turk recalled a time when Westbrook legitimately scared him after the big man greeted an opponent on the Golden State Warriors before a game.

“There was a player, I say ‘What’s Up’, it was in Golden State. He turned around, he catch me say ‘What’s Up’ to him. He starts yelling at me, cussing at me. I’m like ‘OK, I’m sorry. Please forgive me.'”

Kanter holds no ill will toward Westbrook, who he said is a great guy to hang out with off the court, but rather he claims he admired his former teammate’s competitiveness.

“For him, it’s like a war every night. You try to bury them on the court,” he said.

Colin Cowherd, who isn’t particularly fond of Westbook, said that Kanter’s story made him like Westbrook as a player more.

“Yes. It’s a good thing. It was amazing because of how he does it,” Kanter said. “I was scared.”

Not to brag, but here is me and my friend Russ just being friends.

NBD.

[h/t For The Win]