The NBA season has just started, and it looks like James Harden and Russell Westbrook are already showing frustration toward each other.
A clip of the Rockets stars appearing to exchange words during Thursday's game against the Bucks quickly went viral on Twitter.
Russ and Harden already going back and forth 😂 pic.twitter.com/s2W7d3f4yO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 25, 2019
MORE: James Harden on Russell Westbrook reunion: 'We’ll figure it out'
Westbrook reunited with Harden when the Rockets acquired him in a trade with the Thunder during the offseason.
The two were not only teammates for three years in Oklahoma City, but they have been friends since age 10.
Westbrook downplayed his argument with Harden after the game, suggesting their close relationship will mean arguments such as these will sometimes be on public display.
An animated on-court discussion between Russell Westbrook and James Harden is far from evidence of any friction between two stars who have been friends for two decades and decided this summer to reunite on the Rockets. Russ when asked about that exchange: pic.twitter.com/OQJSTI0kEJ
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 25, 2019
Earlier this year, Harden predicted in an interview with GQ that things wouldn't go perfectly at the start of the season.
"It’s like, yo, we'll figure it out," Harden said. "Everything isn't necessarily going to be smooth at first, there are going to be ups and downs, and that's part of an 82-game season. Hopefully, by the end of the season, we've caught a rhythm and everybody is on the same page going into the playoffs. That's all you can ask for."
Harden added: "There's a different kind of relationship and communication that we have, a different type of excitement that we have for each other. We don’t really care or pay attention to what other people say or think."
Judging by this video, the two appeared to be in great spirits ahead of the game:
🕺🔥 Pre-game mood in H-town! 🔥🕺 pic.twitter.com/JGpekNhs2c
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 24, 2019
So is the spat something to worry about or just a simple heated moment between longtime friends?
As always, there was plenty of speculation (in both directions) on Twitter:
Seems like a video of Russell Westbrook and James Harden having a passionate discussion is trending. Just now, after every positive play Westbrook makes, Harden stands up and cheers him on from the bench. Likewise when it was Harden making plays and Westbrook was resting.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) October 25, 2019
Russell Westbrook & James Harden already arguing over who gets to have a triple double first. pic.twitter.com/7zhtnowKsV
— Per Sources (@PerSources) October 25, 2019
James Harden: “Pass Me The Ball On The Next Play Bro”
— DJ First Class™ 🏁 (@1DJFirstClass) October 25, 2019
Russell Westbrook: pic.twitter.com/PPIylGOuNe
Teammates communicating pic.twitter.com/tGbouWytJA
— Fix2k20 (@xxGritzNGravyxx) October 25, 2019
Mike D’Antoni when he sees this pic.twitter.com/9h1yviVvyi
— ND (@PackerSports22) October 25, 2019
Holding each other accountable. That's sports & leadership...
— BLACK ADAM SCHEFTER (@B1ackSchefter) October 25, 2019
This is what they were saying pic.twitter.com/vjkLvA3s7I
— Michael Ritter (@MikeSteveRitter) October 25, 2019