Westbrook, Durant drama dominates All-

RUSSELL Westbrook arrived about 10 minutes late to his scheduled media session on Friday morning in New Orleans. He took a seat. He took a breath. He was immediately hit with his first Kevin Durant question: ‘‘What’s it going to be like to be in that locker room with Durant?’’

‘‘Man,’’ Westbrook responded. ‘‘Fashion Week is going to be great. A lot of great-looking things to look forward to at Fashion Week.’’

One question later: ‘‘Russ, any discussion about you and KD being on the court together?’’

‘‘Man,’’ Westbrook said. ‘‘Have you seen the new Public School clothing? Crazy. They got the new Jordan hoodie with Tinker.’’

This has become the theme of the weekend in New Orleans. Everyone around the All-Star Game wants to talk Westbrook, Durant and their friendship turned rivalry. But the two quib- bling former teammates have no interest. Westbrook’s tactic to ignore was simple: re-route any Durant question toward fashion with a smile and a clear message. Durant was a bit more engaging, though reluctantly.

About 15 feet from Westbrook’s podium, Durant jumped onto the big stage toward the back of the room to join SportsCenter with Sage Steele. Four minutes into the interview, she asked Durant about Westbrook and the tenor of the weekend between the two. ‘‘I’m going to handle All-Star weekend like I always do,’’ Durant said. ‘‘Get in and get out. Do everything I’m supposed to do, play the game and have some fun.

‘‘I didn’t come here for there to be any drama or have a heart-toheart with anyone.’’

But part of the rift between the two has to do with Durant’s sour departure. He sent a farewell text and the two haven’t talked since, unless you count the on-court trash-talk between the two in the