NBA Rumors: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook War Against Reggie Jackson; Detroit Pistons PG Can't Resist Bashing OKC?

By Mitch de Leon
Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been rumored to exerting extreme efforts to keep the peace between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in the locker. While the two NBA stars are notable in their own rights, fans of the basketball team cannot help but notice the tension in the squad. Durant is reportedly not taking it kindly when people belittle his leadership skills - with some pushing for Westbrook to call the shots instead of the veteran. While the two have been adamant in their rejection of the said rumors, discussions on their alleged ongoing battle for power still plague the NBA team.

To add to the issues hounding the Oklahoma City Thunder, Reggie Jackson is reportedly going around revealing the flaws of the basketball team. The current Detroit Pistons star shared that the last years he spent in the Durant squad brought him discontent and unhappiness. Jackson admitted to not being comfortable and happy with the way his role in the team was getting developed. The point guard also disclosed that the entry of new and more explosive stars in the Oklahoma City Thunder considerably reduced his chances of starting for the team. Presumably, Jackson saw Westbrook and Durant as hindrances in his goal to lead the group.

"I wasn't happy. I knew I wasn't going to be happy in the role that I was placed in, especially with the way everything was moving forward," admitted Jackson, according to News OK. The Detroit Pistons star added, "It wasn't rocket science. I think at the time we had four shooting guards on the roster. I knew I didn't have a realistic chance of starting in the lineup."

He went on to state, "And it started getting to a point where I knew my minutes would even be cut just because of the quality of players that we had. And rightfully so. They should play at the two-guard position. I just wasn't going to be able to find minutes. And it's kind of hard, of course, to ask to cut the minutes of a top five point guard in the league so that you can get more. So the puzzle piece wasn't going to be put together the way that I envisioned. And I knew that I didn't really have a fighting chance to be able to earn an opportunity."

However, Jackson shared that "both sides wanted it to work." Despite their efforts, though, the NBA star and the Oklahoma City Thunder failed to reach a deal that would make all of them happy. Jackson went on to describe the "split" from his former basketball squad as "kind of bad." Nonetheless, he clarified that he holds no grudges over the move.

At the moment, the Oklahoma City Thunder stand at the third spot in the Western Conference. This places them behind LaMarcus Aldridge's San Antonio Spurs - a team that held on to veterans Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Ahead of the Gregg Popovich squad are the NBA champs: the Golden State Warriors, which have Stephen Curry as their top player. Meanwhile, Jackson's Detroit Pistons are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference - a division that has LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers as the leaders. 

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