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OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook is no longer sharing the NBA marquee in Oklahoma City after the Thunder lost much of their identity when free agent Kevin Durant chose to join the Golden State Warriors on Monday.The Thunders focus now has to be primarily on one of the most electrifying players in the NBA who they still have on the roster -- at least for now. Westbrooks future is unclear. He is heading into the final year of his deal, and he could be traded before that.Anything like that with Russell is hypothetical, Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Monday. Everybody knows how we feel about Russell.Westbrook won the 2015 scoring title and finished fourth in the MVP balloting last season, ahead of Durant, who finished fifth. Westbrook, the two-time reigning All-Star MVP, has consistently improved throughout his career, and he could take his game to another level without sharing the load with Durant, a four-time scoring champion and former league MVP.Russell Westbrook is a force of nature, Presti said. He is a true leader in the sense that he takes it on. He takes it on, and I think hell take this on, as well. This is a different situation, and I know that Russell will adjust and adapt to that.Durant answered the biggest question of this offseason when he announced Monday on the Players Tribune that he is heading to the Warriors. Durant agreed to a two-year, $54 million contract with a player option the second year, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because details werent made public. He can sign with Golden State on Thursday, when free agents can finalize deals.His departure is huge for OKC, though the Thunder still have a talented roster featuring Westbrook.Young stars Steven Adams and Enes Kanter are rapidly improving. Adams, a bruising 7-foot center, emerged as consistent double-double threat during the playoffs. Kanter, a crafty 6-foot-11 forward, was third in the race for sixth man of the year.The Thunder have been making changes to their roster, and now more will undoubtedly come.Oklahoma City dealt Serge Ibaka to Orlando on draft night in exchange for shooting guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and draft pick Domantas Sabonis, a move that improved their depth and shored up their inconsistent shooting guard position.The Thunder tried to lure Al Horford, who ended up going to the Boston Celtics.I think Al was really, really interested, but obviously the timing of Kevins situation and his just didnt link up, and thats part of free agency, Presti said. Thats how it goes.But the focus of the team right now is Westbrook and his future.Even with Westbrooks presence and the young talent around him, it doesnt ease the sting of losing Durant for the franchise and the city after his nine-year run in Oklahoma City.Durant has elevated Oklahomas profile so much that he was inducted into the states Hall of Fame late last year. And Durant has made a point to have a local presence. He donated $1 million in disaster relief to the Red Cross in 2013 after a tornado ravaged south Oklahoma City and Moore. He also owns a popular restaurant in downtown Oklahoma City.Presti said the fans should appreciate what Durant accomplished, and the part they played in it.They should feel thankful, grateful, he said. They should not -- I cant tell them not to be disappointed, but the one thing I would also say is the city should be incredibly proud of what theyve helped create for the Thunder. Its not possible without that. They need to carry that on.The NBA had been anticipating Durants free agency decision for more than a year. The 2014 MVP led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, and to the Western Conference Finals in four of the past six years -- and hes only 27. He recovered from a broken bone in his right foot that cost him much of last season to post one of the best years of his career.Not long ago, the Thunder were up 3-1 on the Warriors in the Western Conference finals, easing Thunder fans minds about the possibility that Durant might seek greener pastures. Even after the Warriors rallied to win the series 4-3, Durant headed into free agency talking as though he would return to Oklahoma City.Are we going to work on our game and come back even better, or are we going to be excited about what we did? Durant said last month. Be complacent, or are we going to want more? I think thats the next step for us all -- thinking of how we can all be better.A month later, Durant is headed to the Bay Area.In his article, Durant said, It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice, but I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career.---AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley in Oakland, California contributed to this report.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: (at)CliffBruntAP .Cheap NBA Jerseys China . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap NFL jerseys China .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. http://www.wholesalechinajerseys.net/ . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Authentic Cheap Jerseys . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Wholesale Jerseys Authenitc . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season.Before there was Colin Kaepernick sitting and kneeling during the national anthem, before there was backlash -- and backlash from the backlash -- and long before talk simmered of how Major League Baseball wouldnt provide the best forum for social protest, there was Toronto Blue Jays slugger Carlos Delgado, parked in the dugout during God Bless America.Twelve years ago, Delgado quietly remained in the dugout while the song was played during the seventh inning of games as had become tradition across the league after 9/11.Delgado, speaking in an interview published by Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Día over the weekend, said he knows to some degree what Kaepernick is going through and that he doesnt think the San Francisco 49ers quarterback is refusing to stand for the national anthem.It is not that he doesnt respect the anthem, Delgado said in Spanish to El Nuevo Día. I am almost positive that that is not the case. Just as I, in my era, it wasnt that I didnt respect God Bless America or what it represented for the United States. But yes, he is tying what he thinks it should represent for the African-American community in the United States, especially given all the things that have happened lately with African-American victims of beatings by white police.Delgado, whose protest was directed at the U.S. participation in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, had also said he meant no disrespect to the institutions Americans attach to such songs as God Bless America and The Star Spangled Banner.It was something very personal at that moment, Delgado said of his decision to protest. Obviously I spoke with several people, but more than anything about how it went, how I felt about people booing me. I would say that when you do [something like this], you do it because you feel it is the right thing to do. Not necessarily because you expect a specific result or because you expect some kind of metrics or intention before doing it.Delgado was a two-time All-Star during a 17-year career as a first baseman and designated hitter for the Bllue Jays,?Florida Marlins and New York Mets, before his retirement after the 2009 season.ddddddddddddI dont think it is any secret that in the United States there is a problem with racism, Delgado said. Obviously, he has to know that he has a legion of followers and a legion of people who will hate him until his death. That is what democracy is about. You have the liberty to express how you feel and another has the liberty to say what they think about it.At this moment, he decided to take a knee during the anthem and he will have supporters and detractors. I think the important thing is for him to be consistent with his principles and his message. It is not normal that here we are in 2016 and we still have segregation, marginalization and the abuse that we have against minorities, religious communities and African-American communities.Delgado said he wasnt suggesting everyone should protest.But I think it is important that athletes, who have this platform, where they can reach millions of people, they should use it, Delgado said. If your principles indicate that you want to do something or must do it, you should act, whether you act alone or with others. Yes, I received support from some of my fellow athletes. And even those who didnt join me, they never made me feel left out. They never elbowed me out. But I heard from others who wanted to rip my head off, saying: Go back to Puerto Rico. But I knew that would be part of the process. When you take this decision you know that there will be people who support you and those who will hate you. The most important thing is to stay true to your values and your principles.Delgado told Editor and Publisher at the time that however political his protest seemed, thats not what it was about because I hate politics.?I say God bless America, Delgado said then. God bless Miami, God bless Puerto Rico and all countries until there is peace in the world.[url=http://www.authentict was about because I hate politics.?I sall Jerseys[/url] ' ' '

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