Thunder News

Houston Rockets too fast for Oklahoma City Thunder
Comment
November 7
The Oklahoman
 
"Russell Westbrook scored a season high 33 points. It's his second highest offensive outing behind a career-best 34-point outing last...That play epitomized the Rockets' 105-94 win over the Thunder on Friday at the Toyota Center.Switching to a faster, up-tempo offense with Yao Ming out for the season, the Rockets scored 22 fast-break points and 54 in-the-paint points. They led Oklahoma City by double digits most of the game.Houston's in-the-paint points, though, no longer are traditional, bang-inside baskets. The Rockets thrived on "beep, beep" flash-to-the-basket points and fast-break points when the Thunder failed to get back on defense."I think it would surprise people how fast they ..."
Durant impresses
Comment
November 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rockets forward Shane Battier took turns with Trevor Ariza matching up with Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant on Friday night. It was his first game against Durant since the 2007-08 season, when Durant was a rookie, and Battier said he has improved. "I think he knows the game better," Battier said of Durant, who scored 27 points. "The shot quality is much better at this point. That's what's going to make him an elite, elite player, to be able to score without the volume of shots. I think he can do it. When you see his progression, it's scary.""
Durant no doubt has special talent
Comment
November 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"If only basketball were as easy as Kevin Durant makes it look. Durant is so fluid with the basketball that you find yourself watching his every move on the floor. You could just follow him while imagining your favorite tune. (Well, you could if the Toyota Center DJ would ease up on the headache-inducing beats they play almost nonstop in the joint. Is this a basketball game or a rave?) In just his third NBA season, the 21-year-old former University of Texas star is already a starter on my mythical "most enjoyable to watch" team. Actually, he is almost impossible not to watch. Durant threw in a cool 27 points Friday night, but as you would expect, the Thunder were no match for the Rockets, ..."
Rockets can handle prosperity
Comment
November 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"As much as had been made of the Rockets' encouraging start through the five-game test to open the season, they had not been asked to do what had to be done Friday night. For the first time this season, they were out in front, playing at home in a game they seemed to control and against a team they handle. The electricity in the building evident in the home opener and against the Lakers on Wednesday was long gone, as well as 3,000 or so fans. A young Oklahoma City team with talent, but little buzz, was sticking around. The Rockets could not play their usual underdog role. Instead, they hit themselves with a jolt of high-speed offense in the second quarter, then called upon it as needed to ..."
Kevin Durant is seeing more of the end-game
Comment
November 6
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant walked out of the Ford Center on Tuesday night, hopped into the back of a car with his father and two brothers by his side and didn't say a word as the foursome traveled north, from downtown Oklahoma City to his Edmond home. The Thunder's agonizing 101-98 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers stung too much to speak, and Durant's two airballs in the final seconds of regulation, and overtime became the inescapable conclusion to his miserable final 24 minutes. "I just kept to myself," Durant said. "People were text messaging me and I just left it alone and went right to sleep."It wasn't until Thursday morning that Durant recuperated from the repulsive feeling of what he later ..."
Jeff Green's consistency continues to improve
Comment
November 6
The Oklahoman
 
"Thunder coach Scott Brooks said Green's early production is largely a result of him being in his third season and feeling more comfortable with the league and nightly matchups."He's a tremendous talent that plays the right way," Brooks said. "He plays solid, consistent basketball that a coach can count on. And he's even taken it up to another level."Brooks challenged Green at the start of the season to leave everything on the floor this year, and the coach has seen the player respond by being exhausted at the end of games."I think he's doing a great job of focusing and doing what we need him to do," Kevin Durant said. "He's always a mismatch for either team. And he's been playing great ... ..."
Budinger unlikely for Thunder
Comment
November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rockets forward Chase Budinger, out with a sprained left ankle, predicted he will be ready to play tonight against Oklahoma City. Coach Rick Adelman guessed he won't. Budinger missed Wednesday's game against the Lakers and was held out of practice Thursday but participated in shooting drills. "I felt great at shootaround today," Budinger said. "Hopefully, I'll keep getting better tomorrow and be ready to play. It was tough (to sit out), especially playing against the Lakers. I wanted to be out there. The last time I missed a game was in high school." Adelman was not so sure. "I actually don't expect him to play tomorrow after watching him today," Adelman said. "But he's young (21), so ..."
Thunder's reserves pack a punch off the bench
Comment
November 5
The Oklahoman
 
"Last season Oklahoma City's reserves often poured gas on the fire, and deficits widened.This season, Etan Thomas, James Harden, Nick Collison and Kevin Ollie are impacting games. Against the Lakers, OKC's reserves closed the gap to three points early in the second quarter. By halftime the Lakers' lead was 51-50."To be a good team, it can't just come from the starting five," said Jeff Green. "You need production off the bench. ...We have guys who won't miss a beat."The second half of a 101-98 overtime loss to the Lakers was similar. OKC trailed when the reserves entered the game in the third quarter. When the starters returned with eight minutes left, the Thunder led 81-77."We have a nice ..."
Kevin Durant garners respect from Kevin McHale, Chris Webber
Comment
November 5
The Oklahoman
 
""He's explosive and he is on a young team," Webber said. "And believe it or not, he can go to the basket. Even though he is skinny and has a lot of development to do, he goes to the basket like (Scottie) Pippen, and he has a right or left hand just like (Tracy McGrady). I really like his game. I think Carmelo (Anthony) is probably the easiest to score. But this guy (Durant) is a top five scorer in the NBA."McHale compared Durant to George Gervin."You look at him and think, 'Oh I'm going to have my way with him.' And he drops 35 on you."Webber stopped well short of predicting Durant is good enough to lead the Thunder to the playoffs this season."What coast are they on?" Webber asked. "It's ..."
High praise from Kobe Bryant
Comment
November 4
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer in the waning seconds of regulation against the Lakers on Tuesday night. He was 0-of-4 from the field in overtime and 0-of-8 on 3-pointers as Los Angeles won 101-98. But Kobe Bryant says the 2008 Rookie of the Year will be just fine. Asked if he had any advice for Durant, Bryant smiled. "He don't need no advice," Bryant said. "That (guy) is good enough already." Kobe plays sick Bryant had a temperature Monday night after the Lakers arrived in Oklahoma City. He skipped the shootaround Tuesday afternoon. Wrapped in towels over his head and upper body after the game, Bryant said he wasn't nearly as sick as when he had the stomach flu ..."
Thunder refuses to fold early
Comment
November 4
The Oklahoman
 columnist John Rohde
"On a night when the Thunder couldn't get started, it also couldn't finish. Through all the struggles, the Thunder nearly rolled over the reigning world champions Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Lakers jumped out early and hung on late, posting a 101-98 victory in overtime before a sellout crowd of 18,203 inside the Ford Center. Afterward, as you might expect, the Thunder locker room was a morgue. Players who spoke gave short answers. The Thunder's frustrated young guns no doubt were struggling to accept what had just transpired. Meanwhile, backup point guard Kevin Ollie spoke calmly. He even managed to smile. It was as though the 13-year veteran saw something in his team perhaps no one else ..."
Thunder's upset bid falls short vs. Lakers
Comment
November 4
The Oklahoman
 
"Before he dashed out of the Thunder's dressing room, seemingly in search of any rock sizeable enough to crawl under and conceal his 6-foot-9 inch frame from the outside world, Kevin Durant sounded as glum as he's ever been after a defeat. He spoke to a group of reporters in a low monotone, holding back any emotion as he described what went wrong in his team's 101-98 loss to the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at the Ford Center. His lengthiest response was three sentences, 22 words. His last reply, a nine-word answer, explained his disposition. "I could have won the game," Durant murmured. "I missed shots." On Sunday night against Portland, the Thunder's ..."
Thunder is making progress, but still has a ways to go
Comment
November 4
The Oklahoman
 columnist Berry Tramel
"Always good when the Lakers come through town. The regal purple uniforms. Phil Jackson's musings. Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom. More celebrities than a Hollywood premier. But LA's marquee sports franchise offers something even better than all that glitz and glamour and excitement in the Ford Center. The Lakers teach you something about yourself. And here's what the Thunder discovered at the end of an exhilarating, exhausting Tuesday night, when they lost 101-98 in overtime to the best team in basketball. The Thunder has come a long way. The Thunder has a long way to go. The maturity from last season's debacle was apparent. The lack of maturity was apparent, too. This game looked ..."
Bryant, Lakers well enough to beat Oklahoma City in overtime
Comment
November 4
L.A. Daily News
 
"Kobe Bryant woke up Tuesday morning in a strange city with a strange feeling. His throat hurt and he was feverish, two symptoms that made him wonder if something was seriously wrong with him. Bryant stayed in bed for most of the day and the fever broke at last. The pain in his throat never went away, even as he hoisted the Lakers on his back once more and helped carry them to a 101-98 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Bryant scored 31 points on 9-for-22 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and added four assists in 45 minutes, 41 seconds. It wasn't his best game of the new season, but considering how he felt before, during and after it, it surely was his bravest. Then again, it's not ..."
Lakers' Pau Gasol out against Thunder; Kobe Bryant misses shootaround in OKC
Comment
November 3
The Oklahoman
 
"The Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, will not play tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder or on Wednesday against Houston. Lakers star Kobe Bryant, the 2008 league MVP, skipped the Lakers' shootaround Tuesday afternoon at the Ford Center, reportedly with flu-like symptoms."
Gearing up for the defending champs
Comment
November 3
The Oklahoman
 
"In just the third home game, the Thunder will play host to the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers tonight at the Ford Center. They're presence is the NBA's equivalent of the circus coming to town. "There's going to be a lot of excitement in the air from our crowd," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "They're the best team in basketball right now. Players are excited."The major change for the Lakers is the addition of Ron Artest, a talented but controversial player who replaced Trevor Ariza, who's now in Houston."He's a passionate guy on the court," said Thunder guard Kevin Ollie. "He's going to bring a lot of toughness to their team, another defensive stopper besides Kobe (Bryant). He's ..."
Thunder players fired up for Lakers
Comment
November 3
The Oklahoman
 columnist John Rohde
"If the wind chill is 10-below on a February night and the Minnesota Timberwolves are visiting the Ford Center, it's understandable how Thunder players, coaches and fans might struggle warming up to the task at hand. A visit from the Los Angeles Lakers, no matter what time of season, presents no such problem.Such is the difference between the former Minneapolis franchise and its current franchise.(By the way, the Timberwolves visit Feb. 26 this season. Kind of gives you a chill, huh?)An 82-game regular season is a grind, but the blood has no problem circulating when the Lakers come to town, which happens to be tonight at 7.Thunder players couldn't throw the ball into the Pacific two nights ..."
Thabo Sefolosha: Defensive superstar?
Comment
November 3
The Oklahoman
 
"They were his Big Three, a trio of players you either haven't heard of or names that would serve as good subjects for a "where are they now?" trivia question. Stanley Jackson. Corey Benjamin. Corey Crowder.Before Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha was equipped to defend the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, this is who he cut his teeth on training to become a defensive stopper.They were men. Sefolosha was just an 18-year-old kid getting his first taste of professional basketball in France. The rail-thin teenager from Switzerland was talented, but the American-born trio was more experienced."I knew I had to be really good at one thing," Sefolosha remembered. "Better at ..."
Etan Thomas doing dirty work
Comment
November 2
The Oklahoman
 
"Most NBA players want to be tough. But ask anyone around the league and they'll tell you few really are. Etan Thomas? Well, the Thunder's newest big man on Sunday night got his first real chance to reveal to Oklahoma City which category he falls into. And against a bigger, more athletic Portland frontline, the 6-foot-10 Thomas proved legit. The Thunder has found its enforcer, the guy who prevents nightly layup drills and makes opponents think a split second longer before dashing down the lane or mouthing off. "He's not a fake tough guy," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said of Thomas after his team's 83-74 loss to the Blazers. "He's going to give you everything he has. We like that effort that ..."
Franchise lows
Comment
November 2
The Oklahoman
 
"Six assists were the fewest in the Sonics/Thunder organization's 42-year history. Several players attributed the lack of assists to 46 missed shots. "Six? That's definitely low," said veteran point guard Kevin Ollie. "You have to make shots to get assists. We'll just go back to the drawing board. We need to get a little better ball movement. We'll correct that." DUBIOUS LOWS Kevin Durant's .143 shooting percentage (3-of-21) was the lowest in the NBA by a player who took at least 20 shots since Detroit's Richard Hamilton made three of 22 (.136) vs. Portland on Dec. 18, 2004. Using that criteria, Durant's percentage was the lowest by a Thunder/Sonic player in 40 years. Bob Rule made two of ..."
Portland Trail Blazers quiet Thunder
Comment
November 2
The Oklahoman
 
"Things got so out of whack for Kevin Durant that the future All-Star even missed a dunk in the waning seconds. The silver lining in an 83-74 loss to Portland on Sunday night at the Ford Center was the Thunder still had a chance to win — even though Durant had a career-worst shooting night, Russell Westbrook was turnover prone and the Thunder set a franchise futility record for fewest assists (six). "We didn't make a lot of shots, but one thing that was shining bright was our defense," said backup point guard Kevin Ollie. "Our defense helped us stay in the game. I don't know if they could have done that last year." Ollie is right. Last season, if Durant went 3-of-21 from the field and ..."
For Kevin Durant, the shooting has never been this bad
Comment
November 2
The Oklahoman
 columnist Berry Tramel
"For one night, Greg Oden got the best of Kevin Durant in the eternal dual of the 2007 NBA Draft's top two picks. Of course, for one night, most anyone who ever laced up sneakers would have got the best of the Thunder Wonder. Durant missed 18 of his 21 shots Sunday night at the Ford Center, the chief reason the good guys lost 83-74 to Portland and mathematically eliminated themselves from an unbeaten season. Don't laugh. You might see an 82-0 season before you see a superstar go 3-for-21 again. The last NBA player to take at least 20 shots and shoot worse than 14.3 percent was Detroit's Rip Hamilton, who was 3-of-22 (against Portland) in December 2004. Tossing the ball through the hoop from ..."
Portland 83, Oklahoma City 74: Trail Blazers exhale a sigh of relief
Comment
November 2
Oregonian
 
"Brandon Roy talked in depth about defense. He revealed that the Trail Blazers are slowly but surely finding their identity. He talked about gaining confidence and powering through back-to-backs and a host of other things that went right Sunday night. And in the middle of it all, the Blazers' captain stopped himself as he stood in front of his locker at the Ford Center and acknowledged the importance of his team's 83-74 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder before a crowd of 16,920. "It was like, whoooooooo," Roy said, sucking in a deep breath of air and exhaling to illustrate the feeling. "This was a sigh of relief." The Blazers (2-2) ended a two-game losing streak and salvaged an ..."
Defense keys Blazer victory over Thunder
Comment
November 2
Portland Tribune
 
"It was an ugly, sloppy game Sunday night at Ford Center. The verdict - an 83-74 Portland victory over Oklahoma City - still looked good to the Trail Blazers. Coach Nate McMillan demanded better defense after the Blazers' 111-107 loss at Houston Saturday night, and the numbers were much better against the Thunder, who had opened the season with a pair of wins. "It was a gut check for us coming off last night's loss," McMillan said. "We played better basketball." Oklahoma City shot .343 from the field and 3 of 14 from 3-point range. "We all took it personally that Houston scored that many points on us," said Portland point guard Steve Blake, who scored a team-high 18 points. "Everybody ..."
Third-quarter curse is causing problems for Pistons
Comment
November 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"A lack of energy and execution to begin second halves has become a disturbing trend in the Pistons' two-game losing streak. In being outscored in the past two third quarters by a 60-30 margin in losses to the Thunder and Bucks, the culprit has been bad offense. It was particularly evident in Saturday night's 96-85 loss to the Bucks. The Pistons took a 49-38 lead after a crisp first half but committed three turnovers on their first three possessions of the second half on their way to a 20-turnover night. The offense featured one-on-one play and a lack of ball movement. And the Bucks made the Pistons pay with transition baskets in outscoring them, 36-14, for the quarter. "Those third ..."
Experience wins out for backup point guard duty
Comment
October 31
The Oklahoman
 
"Before Friday night's game against Detroit, Thunder coach Scott Brooks for the first time announced that Kevin Ollie will serve as the team's backup point guard and explained why the minutes aren't going to Shaun Livingston. "I just wanted a guy that was going to give us solid, consistent minutes, and I think Kevin right now is the guy," Brooks said. "I think Kevin has done a great job. We have some options, but Kevin is our backup point guard right now."Brooks said Livingston and Kyle Weaver, who played spot minutes at point guard last year, are both still in the mix for the role, adding all three must continue to improve while staying ready. Brooks pointed to Ollie's experience and ..."
Thunder win at Detroit, 91-83
Comment
October 31
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 91-83 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. The franchise is 2-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 season when it was in Seattle. The Thunder began 1-16 last season, their first in Oklahoma City, and didn't get their second victory until Nov. 29. The poor start cost coach P.J. Carlesimo his job. Ben Gordon, starting for the injured Richard Hamilton, had 25 points in his home debut for Detroit after scoring 22 in their season-opening win at Memphis. Durant made go-ahead free throws late in the third quarter and kept Oklahoma City ahead in the fourth with an array of shots such ..."
Pistonshome opener
Comment
October 31
Detroit Free Press
 
"Kevin Durant scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 91-83 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. The franchise is 2-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 season when it was in Seattle. The Thunder began 1-16 last season, their first in Oklahoma City, and didn't get their second victory until Nov. 29. The poor start cost coach P.J. Carlesimo his job. Ben Gordon, starting for the injured Richard Hamilton, had 25 points in his home debut for Detroit after scoring 22 in their season-opening win at Memphis. Durant made go-ahead free throws late in the third quarter and kept Oklahoma City ahead in the fourth with an array of shots ..."
Kevin Durant stars as Thunder spoil Pistons' home opener
Comment
October 31
Detroit News
 
"Time to lower expectations. All that chatter on the forums and talk radio about the Pistons after winning the season opener is sure to get muted a little. That's probably a good thing, too. Friday's 91-83 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder showed it could be an uneven ride this season. But as coach John Kuester often says, this will be a work in progress. And that showed Friday against the Thunder, as the Pistons opened the home portion of their schedule. An announced sellout crowd of 22,076 saw the Thunder gradually take control in the second half, led by forward Kevin Durant, who had 25 points and 12 rebounds. The front line of Durant, Jeff Green (16) and Nenad Krstic (14) combined ..."
Kevin Durant finds the key to winning
Comment
October 30
The Oklahoman
 
"The scoring title? An All-Star appearance? A playoff berth?How about video games?"People might not believe me, but when I go home (after practice) I play video games and I lose all the time," Durant said. "And I get so mad that I come back and I want to win everything. Something that small puts that winning mentality into my head."The NBA's sixth leading scorer last season is off to a good start after Wednesday's season-opening 102-89 victory over Sacramento. A stiffer test is in store tonight as the Thunder rolls into Detroit to take on a more talented Pistons team. But the goal of winning remains the same."That's what this year is all about," Durant said. "We have the right group of guys ..."
OKC aiming to avoid last year's miserable start
Comment
October 30
The Oklahoman
 
"OKC aiming to avoid last year's miserable start Those memories, Collison said, serve as a reminder of how important it is to avoid a similar start this season."We want to get off to a good start this season," Collison said. "Mentally, it's really hard when you dig yourself a hole like we did last year. It starts to wear on you, and you start to lose confidence in all those close games."Collison said the Thunder is now on one accord and more confident in 2009-10 because of the hard work and preparation players put into the offseason"
Thunder blasts off
Comment
October 29
The Oklahoman
 columnist Berry Tramel
"You knew things were different walking around the Ford Center before the game. Tile floors. Granite countertops in the necessary rooms. A new scoreboard that will make your jaw drop unless you've been to a football game in Arlington. Yep, Oklahoma City's arena was all gussied up. Turns out, Oklahoma City's basketball team looks renovated, too. The Thunder waxed the Sacramento Kings 102-89 Wednesday night in an NBA opener that was mostly unlike anything we saw a year ago in the Boomers' maiden season. Call it a mulligan. Call it a grand opening, with last season just a trial run, particularly that awful first game against Milwaukee. "It's going to be an exciting year," said Kevin Durant. ..."
Thunder off to a better start
Comment
October 29
The Oklahoman
 columnist John Rohde
"The Thunder had a lower ceiling last season, literally and figuratively. Residing in what amounted to a makeshift locker room at the Ford Center, there was modest head room for a team with even more modest expectations. The low clearance seemed appropriate, given the Thunder's ridiculous youth and the fact team members still needed GPS to navigate around town. This season brings a new locker room with a ceiling roughly twice as high as last year's digs. This, too, seems appropriate. More head room for a team with a higher ceiling for success. Thunder players now know where they are. Their next trick is to figure out who they are. What they are is a better team. The Thunder opened the ..."
Russell Westbrook gets an 'A' for assists in Thunder win
Comment
October 29
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant said he knew this summer that Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook was primed for a special season. "At those USA trials (for young rising players), that's when he showed he could really play point guard," Durant said. "I knew back then in (Las) Vegas it was going to be a good year for him." After playing well in preseason, Westbrook dished out a career-high 13 assists in the Thunder's season opening 102-89 win over Sacramento in the Ford Center. "His performance was unbelievable, probably the best game I've ever seen him play," Durant said. "He handled the team so well. Even though he didn't take as many shots as he normally does, he got some open shots because he got us the ..."
Thabo Sefolosha gets 4-year contract with OKC Thunder
Comment
October 29
The Oklahoman
 
"Two things happened Wednesday when Thabo Sefolosha and the Thunder agreed to a four-year, $15-million contract. The player gained some surprising security, and the team added some essential stability. They're the two factors that prevented talks from spilling over into next summer, as Sefolosha appeared to be headed for restricted free agency with just three days remaining before the deadline for an extension. "It's definitely a great feeling just to be able to say I'm going to be four more years here," Sefolosha said before Oklahoma City defeated Sacramento 102-89 on Wednesday in the Ford Center. "And just the confidence that the team has in me to offer me a contract like that is great." ..."
Thunder hits on all cylinders in win over Sacramento Kings
Comment
October 29
The Oklahoman
 
"This, Thunder fans, is what your team looks like when everything clicks. Dogged defense leads to trouble-free offense. Spacing and ball movement result in uncontested shots. Energy and hustle end in a blowout. Opening night at the Ford Center couldn't have gone more smoothly in the Thunder's 102-89 rout of Sacramento on Wednesday night. When it mattered for the first time, the Thunder played like the team the outside world assumes it is — one of the fastest rising teams in the NBA and a bunch that could surprise the rest of the league with an improbable push to the postseason. Oklahoma City never trailed against the Kings and led by as many as 23 points. Roles were played to near ..."
Kevin Durant at ease entering third year
Comment
October 28
The Oklahoman
 
"On the day before he opens his third NBA season, Kevin Durant was comfortable for the first time. The Thunder's biggest star said Tuesday that he has a mentality going into tonight's game against Sacramento that he hadn't had in either of his two previous seasons. "I feel good," Durant said. "This time the last two years I was shaking. I had butterflies. But now I'm calm and I'm ready to play. I'm the leader of this team. They follow me, so I've got to be calm and go out there and lead us."Durant, who is expected to build on last year's averages of 25.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists, said his newfound peace has made him much more confident."Last year, going into games I would think ..."
Subtle wrinkle demonstrates Russell Westbrook's improvement
Comment
October 27
The Oklahoman
 
"The Thunder has yet to play a regular season game. But Russell Westbrook quickly established himself throughout training camp and the preseason as perhaps the most improved player on the roster. His improvement has been quantifiable, as seen in his increased assists and decreased turnovers, and unquantifiable, displayed in his patience and confidence on the court. But one small development in his game has stood out and could have a major impact on the Thunder this season. Westbrook is now coming to get the ball following defensive rebounds rather than relying on a risky outlet pass in traffic. It's a small quirk Westbrook didn't exhibit last season but one that could cut down on turnovers ..."
Teammates see improvement in Russell Westbrook
Comment
October 26
The Oklahoman
 
"Teammates see improvement in Westbrook "He's improved his game," center Nenad Krstic said of Westbrook. "He's looking for his teammates. I know if I set a good screen and I'm open I'm going to get the ball. Last year, in the beginning, it was not (like that) because we didn't know each other. Now, he knows where I'm going to be and I know he's going to pass me the ball. So it's been really good playing with him." Throughout the Thunder's seven preseason games, Kevin Durant turned heads by showing more of an all-around offensive game. After being primarily a 3-point shooter in his rookie year, Durant improved his mid-range game and got to the free-throw line more last season.But in addition ..."
Is OKC Thunder forward Kevin Durant the next big thing?
Comment
October 25
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant sat at his locker before a preseason game and blankly stared ahead as he pondered the position he finds himself in. The player many project as the NBA's next big star enters his third season aware of how quickly acclaim can turn to condemnation. "They built me up. Now it's time for them to break me down," said Durant, the Thunder's 21-year-old wunderkind. "So I'm getting ready for that." But make no mistake, in no way is that a concession statement. Durant is fully prepared to meet the lofty expectations placed upon him as Oklahoma City opens the 2009-10 NBA season. The 6-foot-9 forward is supposed to shatter the feats of his sophomore season, when he ranked sixth in scoring ..."
Thunder forward Nick Collison settles in at natural position
Comment
October 25
The Oklahoman
 
"Nick Collison is ready, ready for a little less wrestling with 7-footers. Shaquille O'Neal has moved on to Cleveland and the Eastern Conference. Yao Ming is out for the season. And the Thunder has made some roster moves that could mean more minutes at Collison's natural position, power forward. "It will help to have a more traditional big body in there to contend with those guys because sometimes I'm a little overmatched size-wise." With Nenad Krstic set to start at center and Etan Thomas slotted for the backup role, Collison might get the chance to expand his game, which includes 17-foot shooting range. "Nick can make jump shots," said coach Scott Brooks. "We want him to have more ..."
OKC Thunder head coach Scott Brooks perfectly capable of playoff run
Comment
October 25
The Oklahoman
 columnist John Rohde
"With this being Scott Brooks' first full season as an NBA head coach, no time like the present to welcome him to the fraternity with a simple question asked of all coaches. When will you make the playoffs? If the Thunder makes the 2010 playoffs, there will be two absolute certainties: 1. Brooks will be an overwhelming choice as NBA coach of the year. 2. Thunder general manager Sam Presti will be an equally overwhelming choice as NBA executive of the year. The Thunder shouldn't be expected to make the playoffs this season. Doubling last year's 23-game win total likely won't be good enough to finish in the top eight of the Western Conference. A 50-percent increase in victories from last ..."
OKC Thunder pups need to keep improving
Comment
October 25
The Oklahoman
 
"Jeff Green was born a month after Greg LeMond won his first Tour de France. Kevin Durant was born two days after Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his 100-meter gold medal at Seoul for doping . Russell Westbrook was born four days after George Bush I was elected to the White House. In other words, these guys aren't all that old. Green is 23, Durant 21 and Westbrook 20. Yet they are more than the future of the Thunder. They are the present. Which is why the Thunder has adopted a self-help philosophy in trying to build off back-to-back years of 23-59 and 20-62. These Baby Boomers will get better individually, which will determine how much better their squad becomes. "We have the ..."
It all starts at home for the Thunder
Comment
October 25
The Oklahoman
 
"Improve defensively. Make more shots. Trim turnovers. Those are areas the Thunder must improve to significantly improve on last year's 23-win season. But for fans who don't dissect box scores, or stat sheets, there's an easier barometer to monitor progress of a young team some are labeling a team on the rise: Home-court record. Oklahoma City finished 15-26 last season at the Ford Center. Post a winning record at home and the Thunder moves closer to playoff contention. Post another losing record in the Ford Center and there's still a ways to go. "Protecting home court is a big thing," said Nick Collison. "That would be a big step for us." It won't be easy, especially early. The Thunder, ..."
Q
Comment
October 24
The Oklahoman
 
"Oklahoma State product Desmond Mason, a fan favorite while playing for the inaugural Thunder team and the Hornets' two seasons in Oklahoma City, signed a one-year deal with Sacramento. Mason is projected as a starter when the Kings and Thunder open the regular season Wednesday in the Ford Center. ?How disappointed were you the Thunder didn't offer you a contract? "I wish we could have worked something out. But it is what it is. I've been around long enough to know how the business works. I'm not going to hold it against them. But no question, I love playing here."?How is your knee? "It's great. I'm still working to get my timing back around the basket, shaking off the rust. Outside of ..."
Thunder players have all the answers
Comment
October 24
The Oklahoman
 
"The Oklahoman put Thunder players on the hot seat.Questions include the best-dressed player on the team, the player with a hidden talent, the team comedian, which game should be on national TV, each person's favorite movie and favorite Oklahoma City restaurant. The Thunder has only one nationally televised game all season on a major network. That question - which game besides Dallas on Dec. 16 should be on national TV? - drew some interesting responses."I can't believe we only have one," said Kevin Durant. "It should be a lot more. If I had to choose just one, it would be the Lakers."Nick Collison answered: "San Antonio. It seems we have great games with them.""All of them," said Jeff ..."
Thunder exercise contract options on four players, including Kevin Durant
Comment
October 24
The Oklahoman
 
"The Oklahoma City Thunder has exercised the fourth-year options on forwards Kevin Durant and Jeff Green and the third-year options on guard Russell Westbrook and forward D.J. White. By exercising the options, the Thunder can keep all four players through at least the 2010-11 NBA season. Oklahoma City had until Oct. 31 to exercise the options, or each player would have become unrestricted free agents next summer.The Thunder holds fourth-year options on Westbrook and White, but Durant and Green are now eligible to sign contract extensions next summer. The team has until Oct. 31, 2010, to sign Durant and Green to extensions, or both players will go into the summer of 2011 as restricted free ..."
David Stern recognizes Kevin Durant
Comment
October 24
The Oklahoman
 
"During his annual international preseason "state of the union" teleconference Friday afternoon, NBA commissioner David Stern mentioned only three players by name during 35 minutes of questions and answers - Sacramento's Omri Casspi as Israel's first NBA player and Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose as rising stars. Stern's comment was in reference to a question about how recent rule changes have opened the floor, allowing the NBA to produce a more entertaining product."Into our system comes players, not just the established stars, or the great veterans, or the international standouts, but this year's rookies and the Kevin Durants and Derrick Roses," Stern said. "It's an extraordinary group of ..."
Oklahoma City cheers for Mason
Comment
October 23
Sacramento Bee
 
"Desmond Mason was the last Kings starter introduced Thursday night, and he received loud applause in a region that knows him well. Mason played college basketball at Oklahoma State. He was with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008-09 before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in late January. Mason also played in Oklahoma City from 2005 to 2007 when the town became a second home for the displaced New Orleans Hornets after Hurricane Katrina. So it was a nice time for Mason, who chatted with old teammates and friends before and after the Kings' 104-89 exhibition win at Ford Center. Mason said the fans have always been great in Oklahoma City. "We got great support with the Hornets and great ..."
Thunder waives F Michael Ruffin; roster now at 16
Comment
October 22
The Oklahoman
 
"The Oklahoma City Thunder has waived forward Michael Ruffin, cutting the team's roster to 16 players. Thunder General Manager Sam Presti announced the roster move on Thursday jsut hours before Oklahoma City's final preseason game against the Sacramento Kings. Ruffin is a former Tulsa standout who appeared in only one preseason game for the Thunder. He went scoreless and had one rebound in 12 minutes."